The unveiling of the 2026 Economic and Social Program by the Cuban government, during an ordinary session of the Council of Ministers led by Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, has sparked a wave of skepticism, even among followers of the official Cubadebate Facebook page.
Rather than excitement, the predominant reaction was a sense of fatigue towards another set of targets, timelines, and promises in a nation plagued by inflation, power outages, declining basic services, and a collapsing economy.
"Can anyone tell me what the big goals and social commitments are so I can be well-informed? Because as it stands, I don't understand anything," wrote Crescencio López, capturing the disconnect between official rhetoric and the everyday lives of Cubans.
Acknowledging the Ineffectiveness of Traditional Methods
The government itself admitted during the meeting that their "traditional methods are not yielding results," as stated by Vice Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga. He advocated for "greater initiative" and "different proposals" to tackle the economic crisis.
However, many commentators feel this acknowledgment is too little, too late, with no substantive changes on the horizon. "Another program!!!" mocked Alejandro Pérez. "When results finally come, we won't know if they're from error rectification, economic stimulation, or monetary reordering."
Public Distrust in Timelines and Execution
The timeline of the program also fueled distrust. "We're already halfway through '26," noted Yordanis Ricardo Labrada, while Ernesto Cordoví questioned, "How is it possible that approval is only happening now?"
Daniel Labañino Fals also questioned how the country has progressed several months into the year without a plan. Other comments were even harsher on the centralized economic model and the accumulation of unmet programs.
"How many plans, guidelines, and directives in the last 10 years and none have resolved anything," stated Edgar Uribe, urging for an end to "experimenting" and for granting more economic freedoms "like in China or Vietnam."
Voices of Discontent and Calls for Change
José, another user, labeled the announcement as "just another plan," recalling previous programs that were "all announced but never fulfilled." He also criticized the contradiction of the same Council of Ministers approving new plans while acknowledging excessive bureaucracy.
The economic and social deterioration was a recurring theme in the critiques. "The common people remain in the same situation: no food, no electricity, no potable water, no gas for cooking, and no medicines," wrote Eloisa Melian Morfa.
Even some comments reflected ideological disillusionment. "The socialist state enterprise doesn't work," asserted Ruslan DC, claiming that "more than 70% of the population doesn't believe in that solution."
Economic Reality Paints a Grim Picture
While Marrero insisted that the program embodies "popular wisdom" and includes "all our major goals and commitments," many users seemed to interpret the announcement as another rhetorical reformulation of policies that have failed to reverse the crisis.
The official publication also confirmed that annual inflation reached 13.42% in March, with non-state market agricultural prices rising by 31.9%.
Furthermore, the government admitted to failing in investments due to shortages of fuel, steel, cement, and financing.
The latest Council of Ministers meeting occurs amidst a bleak economic situation. Economy Minister Joaquín Alonso Vázquez reported that annual inflation at the end of March stood at 13.42%, with non-state agricultural market prices in Havana alone rising by 31.9%.
Cuba's GDP has declined by 23% since 2019, with an additional contraction of 7.2% projected for this year, marking what analysts describe as the worst crisis since the "Special Period."
An independent survey by elToque with over 41,658 responses (58% from within Cuba) revealed that 92% of participants are "very dissatisfied" with the government, and 95% consider a political change urgent.
Díaz-Canel received the lowest rating among eight government figures, with an average of 1.11 out of 5, and 93.7% giving him the minimum score.
Cuba has a history of frequently announced structural reforms executed slowly or failing to produce tangible results.
The failed 2021 monetary reordering exacerbated inflation and worsened the economic situation, and in December 2025, Díaz-Canel himself acknowledged the need to combat bureaucracy without any visible changes.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why are Cubans skeptical about the new economic program?
Cubans are skeptical because previous programs have failed to deliver tangible improvements, and the promises seem disconnected from their daily struggles.
What are the main economic challenges facing Cuba?
Cuba faces significant challenges including high inflation, power outages, lack of basic services, and a struggling economy exacerbated by a centralized economic model.