Gladys Martínez Verdecia, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Artemisa, openly acknowledged the challenges in boosting party membership, questioning the feasibility of achieving sustained growth under the current difficult conditions during an extraordinary session held in Güira de Melena.
In her address, which was covered by the provincial TV station Artemisa TV, Martínez Verdecia expressed a rare concern within the official PCC narrative.
"Is it possible to achieve sustainable growth in membership amidst such adversity?" she asked aloud to those present.
While she answered her own question by referring to individuals "who do not falter in the face of difficulties" and who remain on what she described as the "front line of combat," her statement highlighted the barriers the Party faces in recruiting new members amid the nation's economic and social crisis.
The comments were made during a special session of the PCC's municipal committee in Güira de Melena, with attendees including Frank Geda Hernández, a member of the provincial committee, and Karel León Díaz, the first secretary in the municipality.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the resolutions from the 11th Plenary Session of the PCC Central Committee.
According to the official report, the discussion emphasized the need to strengthen membership, prepare leadership, and bolster political and ideological work, priorities that the leadership itself linked to the difficulties in maintaining party growth.
The gathering also included an assessment of the local agricultural enterprise's performance, focusing on assigned missions, document updates, production levels, and activating cooperative sales points, concluding with a reaffirmation of political resistance against external pressures.
Martínez Verdecia's remarks sparked critical reactions beyond the official circles. Independent journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro commented on social media platform X that the leader's expressed concern confirms the PCC's and its allied organizations' decline.
For the journalist, the stagnation underscores the societal rejection of political organizations that many Cubans view as "a burden and a heavy load for any Cuban."
This internal crisis is compounded by the decision to postpone the 9th Congress of the PCC, initially scheduled for April 2026. This postponement, announced in December, was justified by Raúl Castro as a necessary measure to focus resources on the national crisis.
In practice, however, the decision reveals the Party's political retreat during its most significant period of social wear.
The statements also come amid a continued decline in membership, both in the Party and the Union of Young Communists, and a growing public disinterest in joining political structures that fail to provide concrete solutions to everyday problems.
Despite the regime keeping the actual number of members secret, previous reports have confirmed difficulties in attracting new members and an increase in withdrawal requests.
Challenges Facing the Communist Party of Cuba
What challenges is the PCC in Artemisa facing in growing its membership?
The PCC in Artemisa is struggling to expand its membership due to the country's ongoing economic and social crisis, which creates unfavorable conditions for recruitment.
How have the PCC's membership challenges affected its political stance?
The difficulties in growing membership have led to a political retreat, as evidenced by the postponement of the 9th Congress of the PCC, signaling a period of significant social and political strain.
What has been the public's reaction to the PCC's current situation?
There has been widespread public disinterest and societal rejection of the PCC, with many Cubans viewing it as a burdensome institution that does not address their daily challenges.