Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz stated this Thursday that the greater involvement of private businesses anticipated in the new economic measures does not mean the state will disengage from the economy, and he made it clear that the measures will continue to be under government direction.
"All the decision-making that we are implementing as a result of the transformations, where there is greater participation from all non-state actors, let’s call them private, does not mean at all that the State, the Government, is neglecting its responsibilities," Marrero stated during a training seminar on the economic reforms promoted by the regime, as reported by the Canal Caribe.
The meeting brought together executives from the Central State Administration, local governments, and business groups to discuss the changes approved in sectors such as agriculture and commerce, as well as the measures aimed at expanding the powers of municipalities.
Marrero insisted that the opening of greater spaces for non-state actors will have limits and oversight.
"The State and Government have defined by Constitution and laws what their responsibilities are towards the people, and therefore, all these measures that liberalize and expand non-state activity require guidance," he stated.
The clarification comes as the regime attempts to introduce changes to its deteriorating economy through a greater participation of small and medium-sized enterprises and other private businesses, while simultaneously maintaining the state's leading role in economic activities.
Changes in trade and pending subsidies
During the seminar, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, presented the new policy for the sector, which aims to unify the various sales methods existing in Cuba under a single regulation.
The regulations cover everything from regulated sales to electronic commerce, which, as explained by the official, is defined for the first time within a specific legal provision.
Among the approved measures is the so-called «Mercado del Barrio», an initiative aimed at selling essential goods under a mixed management model between state entities and private actors.
Díaz Velázquez acknowledged, however, that one of the changes with the greatest impact for Cuban households is still pending: transitioning from subsidizing products to directly subsidizing vulnerable individuals.
More access to land for individuals and SMEs
Another point discussed was the transformation of the agricultural sector.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Telce Abdel González Morera, emphasized the approval of the new Land Law, which broadens the opportunities to access state land in usufruct.
The regulation allows them to be granted to both natural and legal persons, including state and private actors, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, regardless of their corporate purpose.
It also removes the predetermined limitations on area, so the granted surface will depend on the submitted project, and it recognizes rights over certain improvements and houses built on the land granted in usufruct.
More powers for municipalities, but also resources
The topic of municipal autonomy occupied another part of the meeting.
The Cuban prime minister acknowledged that transferring competencies from central structures to municipalities cannot be limited to simply handing over new responsibilities without support.
"The organization, the institution that decentralizes a competence to a municipality, it’s not just that I transferred it and turned my back; it is important to provide follow-up and support to the municipality," Marrero Cruz stated.
The government is trying to implement these measures during one of the most challenging times for the Cuban economy, characterized by prolonged blackouts, shortages of food and medicines, inflation, and deterioration of public services.
The CEPAL projected a 6.5% contraction of the Cuban GDP in 2026, while the new economic measures have been met with skepticism by many citizens due to the failure of previous reforms.
The package includes 176 measures “transformations” approved in June. According to the data provided this Thursday, 155 already have legal backing for their implementation, while the remaining 17 regulations must be finalized before the end of September.
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