Just hours after the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) announced that its 11th Plenary would be condensed into a single virtual day due to the country's "complex situation," the Council of State has decreed that the National Assembly will also meet for only one day via videoconference on December 18.
Originally, the Parliament had scheduled a more extensive agenda, but this adjustment confirms that even the highest state structures are operating on a limited scale.
This decision, made during a regular session of the Council of State led by Esteban Lazo, comes amid power outages, fuel shortages, rampant inflation, and growing social unrest. The Government justified the reduction by citing the severity of the current national crisis.
The announcement adds to the cutback of the PCC's 11th Plenary, initially set for two days and now reduced to December 13, also via videoconference.
The Political Bureau stated that the change aims to keep key leaders "on the ground" to manage issues, as well as to reduce financial and material expenses. However, many Cubans on social media have questioned the actual utility of these meetings, demanding "action and solutions" rather than more unproductive assemblies.
As political and legislative bodies trim their schedules, the Council of State also reviewed progress on the so-called "Government Program to Correct Distortions and Revitalize the Economy," a process presented by the regime as a mechanism for public participation, which has accumulated over 6,300 meetings and nearly 13,000 proposals. Despite the Government's insistence on the process's "importance," the population still awaits concrete measures to ease daily life.
During its virtual session, deputies are expected to approve several decrees and projects, including the new Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, along with the 2026 legislative timeline.
However, for many Cubans, it is not the proposed laws that weigh most heavily, but the message sent by this latest institutional cutback. In a nation where even the Parliament cannot operate normally, the populace struggles with unannounced blackouts, a lack of cooking gas, and a general deterioration in living conditions.
Understanding the Impact of Cuba's Political Decisions
Why has the Cuban National Assembly reduced its session to one day?
The session was reduced to one day due to the complex situation in Cuba, including power outages, fuel shortages, and inflation, which necessitate a more efficient use of resources.
What is the significance of the PCC's 11th Plenary being held virtually?
The virtual format of the PCC's 11th Plenary reflects the government's efforts to manage resources and address pressing issues by keeping leaders focused on local problems.
How are Cuban citizens reacting to these government decisions?
Many Cubans are questioning the effectiveness of these meetings and are demanding concrete actions and solutions to improve their living conditions.