Cuba's Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, presented a package of economic reforms to the National Assembly of People's Power this Thursday, incorporating mechanisms traditionally associated with market economies. However, he defended each of the measures as part of the "construction of a prosperous and sustainable socialism" that the regime advocates.
During the extraordinary session held at the Palacio de Convenciones in Havana, Marrero presented 176 economic and social transformations grouped into 23 strategic axes, marking the most comprehensive reform program initiated by the Cuban government in years.
Among the measures are the authorization of private financial institutions, the creation of private currency exchange houses, the removal of the 100-employee limit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the possibility for an individual to own multiple companies, and a greater openness to foreign investment, including the participation of Cubans residing abroad.
The package also includes the transformation of state-owned enterprises into stock companies, authorization for private actors to import and market fuels, the entry of foreign fast-food franchises, and an increased use of market mechanisms for resource allocation.
Despite the scope of the measures, Marrero insisted that they do not represent a change in ideological direction.
"Under the guiding principle of doing what is necessary to preserve the essential, the proposed measures include expanding the participation of all economic actors on equal terms, promoting foreign investment, and admitting market mechanisms as tools for resource allocation. These actions do not represent a concession, but rather a sovereign adaptation of development instruments to the specific circumstances of the country," he stated.
The head of government defended the compatibility between the reforms and the Cuban political model, arguing that the goal remains the construction of socialism.
"These transformations do not represent a deviation from the socialist project; on the contrary, they respond to the logic inherent in its development. Cuba is currently in the historical period of building socialism guided by the ideas of Fidel and Raúl," he stated.
To justify the adoption of market mechanisms, Marrero referred to principles advocated by Raúl Castro during the economic update process that began more than a decade ago. He explained that the country must avoid dogmatism, abandon egalitarian concepts, and recognize that socialist planning can coexist with certain market rules.
"These proposals are based on the principle that updating the economic and social model has as its essential purpose the improvement of the quality of life for our compatriots, where each Cuban contributes their best to the construction of the prosperous and sustainable socialism that our people deserve," he stated.
The reforms were approved amidst a deep economic crisis characterized by prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, inflation, a decline in national production, and a sustained deterioration of living conditions.
The speed of the process also drew attention. The package was endorsed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party on Wednesday and approved by the National Assembly just 24 hours later.
During the closing of the session, Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severity of the moment the country is experiencing.
"Cuba, our beloved Cuba, is experiencing the most difficult times of this century, and we have the historic responsibility to save it," he stated.
The contrast between the magnitude of the reforms and the official discourse characterized much of the debate. Measures that were rejected for decades as being incompatible with the socialist model are now presented by the government itself as necessary tools to preserve that very system.
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