Díaz-Canel's Controversial Statements at the National Assembly's Closing Address

On Friday, Miguel Díaz-Canel delivered a speech during the conclusion of the Fifth Ordinary Session of the National Assembly of People's Power. His address was a blend of revolutionary slogans, criticisms of the United States as a historical adversary, and a series of contentious statements that starkly contrast with Cuba's reality. While the bulk of his speech echoed familiar rhetoric, certain remarks stood out due to their symbolic weight, bluntness in describing the current situation, or reinforcement of ideological control. Here are the most contentious statements, organized by central themes.

Partial Dollarization and Social Inequality

One of the most striking admissions was his acknowledgment of Cuba's partial dollarization, a reality previously downplayed or denied by authorities. "We have been forced to accept partial dollarization of the economy, which undoubtedly benefits those with certain capital resources or remittances, leading to an unwanted widening of social inequality," he stated. This is one of the few official recognitions that the country's economic situation is benefiting a minority while leaving the majority of Cubans without access to foreign currency increasingly vulnerable.

Admission of Basic Services Collapse

The leader gave a straightforward account of the collapse of public services in Cuba. He listed numerous challenges: "The capacity to import basic food basket items and fuels necessary for electricity generation and economic operation is limited. There is a scarcity of medicines, reduced transport services, waste collection, and water supply." Although the regime acknowledged the "harsh reality faced daily by the people," widely reported by independent media, no concrete solutions were presented to address these issues.

Economic Improvements Questioned

Díaz-Canel attempted to paint a picture of partial fiscal recovery after a challenging year (2023), citing improved revenue collection and expenditure control as the basis for announcing supposed social improvements. "In the first four months of this year, we achieved surplus results, and to date, the current account closes without a deficit, something not achieved in over a decade," he claimed. However, he avoided delving into the structural effects of the economic crisis, such as inflation, low productivity, or reliance on dollarization, while shifting blame to the U.S. embargo.

Protection for Cuba's Vulnerable Sectors: A Reality?

Addressing the most affected Cubans in the current crisis, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that wages are insufficient in Cuba and called for improved wealth redistribution. "We need to enhance the redistributive social function of the state with public and fiscal policies that, without stifling solutions, prevent wealth concentration in a few hands, increasing inequality and poverty," he urged. He also emphasized "paying the utmost attention to inflation, which, although slightly decelerating, remains very high, limiting the purchasing power of workers' salaries and the lower income of pensioners and retirees." Despite these declarations, his speech lacked concrete plans for urgent measures to benefit vulnerable individuals.

Blaming External Forces

Díaz-Canel repeatedly emphasized that the primary causes of the crisis are not internal. He unequivocally stated, “the main obstacle is external,” referring to the U.S. embargo. "The Cuban economy operates under many risks for any decision, largely due to relentless enemy persecution. We cannot add more with our own deficiencies," he asserted. This narrative reinforces the government's stance of attributing the nation's structural deficiencies to the “blockade,” without addressing management failures, institutional corruption, or the decay of the socialist production model.

Ideological Control in Cyberspace

Díaz-Canel demanded that the government take an ideological offensive in social media. He called for "seeking international alliances to break the media blockade; fostering sovereign technological solutions, and increasingly building an emancipated cyberspace." The regime perceives itself in an "internet battle," denouncing supposed "discredit operations against the country" driven by influencers, independent media, and even "algorithms that amplify negative narratives, digital weapons like bots and fake accounts." These comments reveal the government's intent to maintain tighter control over public narratives on social media, digital platforms, and independent media, in a context where digital dissent has gained space and influence.

Lack of Internal Self-Criticism

Díaz-Canel reiterated that "the import mentality has corroded the Cuban economy for years and has been an obstacle to the country's development," yet he did not accompany this comment with a deep reflection on state responsibilities or its leadership cadres. He also sidestepped mentioning massive emigration, the impact of repression, or the growth of poverty in Cuba with clear terms. The recent scandal involving the labor minister, who denied the alarming number of beggars in the country and was subsequently dismissed, was also omitted from his address. Despite these omissions, the Cuban leader claimed, "this has been a true People's Assembly."

Radical Slogans in a Nation in Crisis

One of the most controversial moments of the speech came at its conclusion when the leader repeated old revolutionary slogans: “Independence or death, yes! Homeland or death, yes! Socialism or death, yes! Surrender, never!” This militaristic language has been challenged by Cubans who find it disconnected from the current context, at a time when the country is marked by poverty, massive emigration, and social despair.