The Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz appeared this Wednesday before the National Assembly of People's Power to defend the ongoing economic reforms and to assert, amidst quotes from Fidel Castro and revolutionary slogans, that Cuba does not abandon socialism despite introducing measures that analysts and critics openly label as capitalist.
"We reaffirm that we are not deviating from our socialist model; on the contrary, we will defend it and take the necessary decisions for its consolidation. We do this without pausing and are prepared to drive the deep process of economic and social transformations," stated Marrero in his address before the Cuban parliament.
The speech takes place in the context of the package of 176 economic and social transformations, organized into 23 thematic axes, which the National Assembly ratified on June 18 and 19, 2026, and which represents, according to the government itself, the greatest modernization of the Cuban economic model in decades.
Among the approved measures are the authorization of private banking and private exchange houses, the elimination of the 100-worker limit for small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes), the possibility for an individual to hold more than one company, the opening up to foreign franchises, and the transformation of state-owned enterprises into joint-stock companies.
This Wednesday, Marrero also announced that the first private exchange house in Cuba was ready to operate as a pilot project.
Regarding the progress of the implementation, the Prime Minister reported that of the 121 transformations planned for June and July, 110 had already been approved, equivalent to 90.9%, with another five in partial approval.
The regime also announced the elimination of 92,000 public sector jobs in the areas of Health, Education, Culture, and Sports, primarily vacant administrative positions, with further cuts anticipated in September across other ministries.
This includes the reduction of the state structure from 27 to 21 ministries, the creation of the National Institute of State Business Assets (INAEES), and an increase in the minimum wage in the budgeted sector from 2,100 to 3,210 pesos starting in August, a 53% increase.
To ideologically shield reforms that contradict revolutionary orthodoxy, Marrero referred to a quote from Fidel Castro dated December 5, 1988: "Socialism is and will be the hope, the only hope, the only path for the people, for the oppressed, for the exploited, for the plundered. Socialism is the only alternative, and today, when our enemies seek to challenge it, we must defend it more than ever."
The prime minister also framed his speech in the context of the upcoming centenary of Fidel Castro's birth, scheduled for August 13, and concluded his remarks with the slogans, "Long live the revolution! Long live Fidel! Long live Raúl! Until victory always! Homeland or death, we will overcome!"
The socialist rhetoric contrasts with the reality of reforms that come too late to a country submerged in a deep economic crisis, and which, according to economists and independent media, could worsen inequality without addressing the structural causes of the collapse.
Marrero described the current phase as "the most important and difficult" of the process, acknowledging the need to implement measures and correct deviations.
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