In a recent meeting with officials and leaders in the Gibara municipality, Cuba's Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, reiterated his stance on the impact of the American embargo, while emphasizing the need to avoid what he termed as "self-imposed barriers." Marrero acknowledged, "The blockade is indeed real and a major reason for our current situation, but we must not engage in self-blockade," according to a report by Canal Caribe.
Marrero further elaborated, "We need to explore how we can transform what is within our reach, utilizing our own resources and potential, even if they are limited," highlighting the need for internal improvements during his frequent exchanges in the region he represents in the National Assembly of People's Power.
However, Marrero's statements present a contradiction to his recent actions. Just days earlier, at the inauguration of the FITCuba 2025 International Tourism Fair in Havana, he once again blamed the U.S. embargo as the primary reason for the collapse of the island's tourism sector, overlooking internal issues such as outdated infrastructure, insecurity, shortages, and inadequate air connectivity.
Internal Challenges and Self-Regulation
The Cuban government has long maintained a narrative portraying the "blockade" as the sole cause of the country's economic troubles. Yet, experts and tourism operators have pointed out that the sector's decline is also due to unpaid suppliers, corruption, logistical mismanagement, and institutional weakening that sets Cuba apart from its Caribbean competitors.
Marrero's remarks in Gibara align with his ongoing official rhetoric. In April, during a meeting of the Ministry of Prevention and Crime Control, the Prime Minister called for strengthening a "culture of self-regulation" within the state apparatus.
However, this call for "self-control" came amidst alarming circumstances. In 2024, over 7,700 violations were detected within Cuban state entities, unveiling a structure plagued by negligence, mismanagement, and complicity.
According to Darío Delgado Cura, head of the aforementioned department, 56% of detected infractions were linked to internal management failures, including issues in organization, leadership, and supervision. Delgado Cura acknowledged, “Crimes often occur because insiders collude with outsiders, or the system has vulnerabilities that are exploited,” casting doubt on the effectiveness of the touted revolutionary control.
The Reality Behind the Rhetoric
The statistics of crimes and irregularities, along with Marrero's official discourse, expose a state system entangled in a credibility crisis. While the Prime Minister insists on enhancing "internal control" and "demand," there was no mention of sanctioned individuals, specific measures, or effective prevention results.
Even in critical sectors like energy, there has been an alarming increase in fuel theft, particularly at Cimex service centers and Cupet liquefied gas sales points. The illicit sale of these increasingly scarce resources for the population has become a thriving business under the complacent or indifferent gaze of the authorities.
Marrero's discourse rests on the concept of "resistance," yet reality contradicts these slogans. While top leaders emphasize the need for "self-regulation," "demand," and "awareness," crimes and state resource losses continue to mount. The structural causes of the problem—miserable wages, lack of incentives, institutionalized corruption, and a system rewarding obedience over efficiency—remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, the official narrative persists. Leaders must be more demanding, workers more conscious, and the people's resources protected. But in a country where there is less to protect and more to merely survive, the culture of control appears more symbolic than a genuine solution.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
What is the "self-imposed blockade" mentioned by Manuel Marrero?
The "self-imposed blockade" refers to internal inefficiencies and mismanagement within Cuba that exacerbate the economic difficulties caused by external factors like the U.S. embargo.
How does the Cuban government's narrative on the embargo affect tourism?
The Cuban government often cites the U.S. embargo as the primary reason for the tourism sector's decline, which can overshadow internal issues such as infrastructure problems and logistical challenges.
What are the key internal challenges affecting Cuba's economy?
Cuba faces several internal challenges, including institutional corruption, logistical mismanagement, and a lack of incentives that hinder economic progress and efficiency.