Amid a deep and ongoing economic crisis, the Cuban government has once more pointed fingers at the U.S. embargo for the worsening economic and social issues faced by citizens on the island. This time, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío took to Facebook to address mounting criticism of the regime both domestically and internationally, accusing the United States of leading a "ruthless economic war" against Cuba.
The official insisted that the embargo is the primary barrier to economic development, hindering access to markets, technology, financing, and fuel, while also having a deterrent effect on tourists and international businesses. "No factor can compare in terms of impact and the damage it causes," the diplomat stated, defending the regime's official stance against a backdrop of inflation, shortages, power outages, inadequate public services, and social discontent.
In his statement, Fernández de Cossío also criticized what he described as an "international economic order inherited from colonialism," blaming it for perpetuating underdevelopment in countries like Cuba, with unequal trade structures and limitations on technology transfer.
The official narrative avoids addressing management errors, the lack of structural reforms, or ineffective economic policies as contributors to the crisis. Instead, Fernández de Cossío accused analysts and critics of making "superficial or deliberately biased" observations by not placing the embargo at the center of any analysis of the Cuban situation.
This institutional rhetoric contrasts with the perception of a growing segment of the population questioning the repeated justification of the "blockade" as the sole cause of the country's woes, while witnessing the rapid deterioration of living conditions. This perspective is also reflected in recent statements by authorities in Santiago de Cuba, who blamed Cuban families and the embargo for the increase in homelessness.
Provincial Director of Labor Ernesto González Ojea claimed that the phenomenon is due to "failure to fulfill family responsibilities" and the international economic context. However, he avoided mentioning the internal crisis, the collapse of real wages, the inadequacy of pensions, and the lack of state protection as structural causes of homelessness. The official discourse omits the consequences of decades of inefficient economic policies, extreme centralism, and lack of economic freedoms that have pushed thousands of Cubans to survive in marginal conditions.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Dilemma
What does the Cuban government blame for its economic crisis?
The Cuban government primarily blames the U.S. embargo for its economic crisis, claiming it hinders access to essential resources and markets.
How does the official Cuban narrative contrast with public perception?
While the government blames external factors like the embargo, a growing part of the population questions this justification, pointing to internal issues and inefficiencies.
What are some structural causes of homelessness in Cuba?
Structural causes include the internal economic crisis, the collapse of real wages, inadequate pensions, and the lack of state support.