Miguel Díaz-Canel has declared that change is essential for Cuba, stating that the nation can no longer operate in its current manner.
During an interview aired by the national television's Buenos Días magazine, the leader introduced a series of economic reforms that other officials will later elaborate on.
"I believe we are going to achieve a state, a government, and organizations with less bureaucracy, more dynamism, and greater adaptability to the current demands. These are times when change is necessary. The country cannot continue to function as it has," he stated.
Amid the extreme poverty afflicting the Cuban people due to the regime's decades-long economic mismanagement, Díaz-Canel emphasized that the new reforms should not exacerbate social inequalities.
"We always have to ensure that our actions do not deepen social inequalities. On the contrary, we must find ways for everything we do to contribute to addressing social inequalities and vulnerabilities," he added.
The declarations are part of a governmental strategy that encompasses greater autonomy for municipalities and state enterprises, the reduction of ministries, new openings for the private sector, and changes in the subsidy system.
While Díaz-Canel's words suggest a willingness to change, the essence of his message echoes numerous announcements made by the Cuban government over the past five years, without yielding positive results.
The regime is asking the Cuban people for trust. "You must have confidence; the country is not at a standstill. The country is facing this situation intelligently. We cannot reveal everything clearly because the enemy is watching everything we do," the leader remarked.
"The United States cannot forgive that, at this point, despite all the maximum pressure they have applied, the Revolution still exists and the country continues to function. Even they do not believe the narrative they repeat about a failed state," Díaz-Canel added, amidst the collapse of all services in Cuba.
This slow-paced and triumphant speech comes at the worst economic moment for the country. Cubans endure power outages lasting over 20 hours daily and lack access to potable water in their homes. Public transportation and fuel are unavailable, while food and basic necessities are inaccessible due to rampant inflation.
The promise to reduce bureaucracy, decentralize decisions, and address vulnerable sectors has been a recurring theme in official speeches since Raúl Castro's era and has resurfaced repeatedly in recent years, without leading to structural transformations capable of reversing the economic decline.
While the leader talks about avoiding inequalities, the reality shows an increasingly complex scenario. The gap between those receiving remittances and those relying solely on state salaries has widened with the dollarization of the economy, while food shortages, prolonged blackouts, and migration continue.
Many Cubans view these announcements of new measures and Díaz-Canel's promises of change with skepticism. They express on social media that they no longer expect results from the socialist government.
The notion that "change is needed" has been a part of official discourse for years, yet the everyday lives of the population remain plagued by problems that, instead of being resolved, have continued to worsen.
Millions of Cubans are demanding a radical change in government, and they want it now. Díaz-Canel's promises seem insufficient to achieve the outcomes he predicts.
Understanding Díaz-Canel's Economic Reforms in Cuba
What reforms did Díaz-Canel announce?
Díaz-Canel introduced a set of economic reforms which include reducing bureaucracy, increasing municipal and state enterprise autonomy, opening up the private sector, and altering the subsidy system.
How has the Cuban government addressed social inequalities?
The government claims to focus on reforms that avoid deepening social inequalities, emphasizing the need to address social vulnerabilities and contribute positively to reducing disparities.
Why are Cubans skeptical about the announced changes?
Many Cubans are skeptical due to the history of unfulfilled promises by the government. Repeated announcements over the years have not led to significant structural changes or improvements in their daily lives.