Recently, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez visited the municipalities of Jobabo and Colombia in Las Tunas province, where he acknowledged the ongoing severe social and economic issues affecting the tranquility of the populace. During a summary of assessments conducted by the highest party authority in these areas, Díaz-Canel stressed that "we must not be overwhelmed by challenges" and urged local authorities to maintain resilience in the face of adversity, as reported by the state-run Periódico 26.
One critical topic discussed was the increasing corruption in the interactions between state entities and the non-state economic sector, which was initially promoted as a necessary complement. Díaz-Canel admitted the discovery of severe irregularities in the leasing of premises and the payment for services and products with public funds, announcing that criminal liability will be sought in the most egregious cases.
The leader emphasized the need for greater public oversight, urging more involvement from the populace in monitoring these relationships. He also warned about the rising drug trafficking in the country, asserting that "the Revolution was not made to allow such a scourge that destroys families," despite the growing issue under his leadership.
Addressing Social and Economic Challenges
In his speech, Díaz-Canel touched on other manifestations of marginalization, which he attributed not solely to economic deficiencies, although he offered little detail on these issues, which could arguably be traced back to the regime itself. The president also acknowledged that despite the installation of solar panels in water supply systems, pressure has not improved in many small communities. This public admission highlights management failures in projects touted as crisis solutions, a frequent occurrence.
Díaz-Canel also discussed the topic of banking, admitting a "conceptual problem" when linking the digitization of payments to cash shortages, which has impacted large parts of the population, particularly in rural areas.
Economic Outlook and Political Criticism
On the economic front, Díaz-Canel expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of the Colombia sugar company producing molasses this year, which would partially alleviate local energy and economic difficulties. However, sugarcane production in the area faces challenges, such as aging strains affecting the quality of raw materials, as highlighted by official sources.
The communists' review, despite some progress in popular mobilizations for agricultural production, revealed significant concerns about electricity service, water supply, inflation, banking issues, inefficient land use, and rising cattle crime. Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee, criticized the weak engagement of municipal political leadership with the population and acknowledged that many issues identified in previous visits remain unresolved.
Morales also noted the insufficient number of government cadres in the Party, clarifying that party membership is not mandatory for public office. Yet, this fact underscores the political apathy in the country, where most of the population views the Party as an obstacle to development rather than a driving force.
Finally, Morales announced that starting in May, a second cycle of municipal visits will begin, focusing not on diagnostics but on evaluating what has changed since the last inspection: "Evaluations will be based on results," the leader warned.
Disconnected Leadership and Propaganda
As part of his visit to Las Tunas and his statements revealing a disconnect from the country's issues, Díaz-Canel reiterated the need to "work hard" and strengthen ties with the people as a formula to tackle the island's suffocating economic and social crisis. He also visited the Manifiesto de Montecristi Agricultural Polytechnic Institute in Jobabo, concluding, quite optimistically, that the educational institution "has everything."
During the leader's visit to an elderly home in the eastern province, state media highlighted that "the food was quite good" and "the care was wonderful," once again showcasing the regime's propagandistic media's disconnection from the harsh reality faced by the Cuban people.
Frequently Asked Questions about Díaz-Canel's Visit to Las Tunas
What were the main issues addressed by Díaz-Canel during his visit?
Díaz-Canel highlighted corruption, drug trafficking, marginalization, water supply issues, and economic challenges during his visit to Las Tunas.
How did Díaz-Canel propose to address corruption in Cuba?
He proposed increased public oversight and involvement in monitoring the relationships between state and non-state sectors, along with pursuing criminal liability in severe cases.
What economic outlook did Díaz-Canel provide during his visit?
Díaz-Canel expressed cautious optimism about the sugar company's potential molasses production, though he acknowledged challenges in sugarcane quality.