Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has acknowledged the severity of the crisis in Cuba, admitting that challenges are "piling up," particularly in terms of currency shortages, fuel, and energy affecting the island. According to a report aired by the state-run television, Marrero emphasized that local governments must stop waiting for top-down solutions and take a more proactive role in seeking alternatives.
"We are still not acting as if we were at war," Marrero stated, urging leaders to "turn the crisis into an opportunity." This comparison is telling: despite not being in a war, the Cuban population has been enduring blackouts, shortages, and hardships for years, similar to wartime conditions.
During a monthly meeting with governors and the mayor of Isla de la Juventud, Marrero also acknowledged that local officials are overwhelmed by the scale of the issues. "Our goals are getting entangled with real problems, including energy shortages, fuel scarcity, and lack of foreign currencies, which exceed many officials' capacity to address," he said.
Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa, who attended the meeting, called for strengthening municipalities with "competent people," though he clarified this is not about autonomy as sovereignty, but rather about addressing immediate problems to improve living standards—highlighting the limited decision-making power in these areas.
First Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning, Mildrey Granadillo, presented an update on the government's program aimed at "correcting distortions" and revitalizing the economy by 2025, despite similar plans failing in the past. Participants also discussed the impact of unpaid debts to producers, a chronic issue acknowledged but unresolved by the government, and explored the proposal of converting shipping containers into housing as an "economic and sustainable" alternative.
The official rhetoric continues to stress resilience and discipline as solutions to navigate the crisis, while the country faces a reality where the urgency lies in addressing shortages, inflation, and migration affecting millions of Cubans. Marrero's admission that "problems are piling up" reflects the extensive crisis impacting the population on multiple fronts, from blackouts to shortages of currency, fuel, and food.
In recent days, it was reported that over three million people are suffering from a lack of potable water, a situation that has become a national emergency and adds to the daily struggles of millions of families. Last month, a study revealed that extreme poverty now affects 89% of the Cuban population, highlighting the government's inability to reverse the decline in purchasing power and access to basic goods.
More recently, it was reported that Cuba emerged from a massive blackout, yet the electricity generation deficit persists, prolonging the power cuts that shape life on the island.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba
What are the main issues currently facing Cuba?
Cuba is dealing with significant shortages in currency, fuel, and energy, which are compounded by blackouts, food scarcity, and a lack of potable water affecting millions.
How has the Cuban government responded to the crisis?
The government is urging local authorities to take a more active role in finding solutions. Efforts include proposed economic plans and alternative housing solutions, though challenges remain unresolved.
How are local officials handling the crisis?
Local officials are reportedly overwhelmed by the scale of the problems, which surpass their capacity to manage effectively, as acknowledged by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.