The 86-year-old Cuban-American historian, Germán Miret, remains skeptical about the economic reforms recently announced by the Cuban regime, arguing that these changes won't salvage the dictatorship. Instead, he insists that real transformation requires profound political change, not just economic adjustments.
Miret offered his insights to CiberCuba, analyzing remarks made by Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, who is colloquially known as "the Crab." As the grandson of Raúl Castro and a primary informal liaison between the regime and Washington, he recently defended a so-called "Cuban economic model" that proposes economic openness without political reform during his first public interview on June 19.
These comments followed the introduction of 176 economic reform measures approved by the National Assembly on June 18. This significant reform package—the largest since the Special Period—includes provisions for private banking, the removal of the universal basic food subsidy (in place since 1962), and the encouragement of direct foreign investment.
According to Miret, these measures offer no real novelty. "They're now selling capitalism to the people. Now I can invest in Cuba. I, Germán Miret, can go to Cuba and invest. Well, I could do that 67 years ago!"
In an interview with Tania Costa, Miret bluntly addressed the core issue. "The mistake made in the past was establishing a political-economic regime that has never worked anywhere. So that's the first mistake that needs correcting."
He further urged skepticism towards government promises. "Besides, I don't trust their economic promises. Yes, they've always been crooks. So how can I trust a crook?"
Regarding the potential for democracy without regime change, Miret was equally straightforward. "They want to stay in power, and you can't have democracy when a government is there for life. The only solution is to change the political and economic system."
This discussion emerges as one in three Cuban families faced hunger in 2025, marking a 9.3 percentage point increase from the previous year, while 89% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
In this context, Miret also highlights pre-revolutionary Cuba as an economic benchmark. "Cuba was one of the countries with the highest percentage of middle class in the Americas... It was growing incredibly, driven by the Cuban desire to work and progress."
He notes that by 1958, Cuban sugar mills had largely returned to Cuban ownership. "Cubans were reclaiming their country," a process abruptly halted by the revolution.
Looking ahead to the island's political future, Miret advocates for pluralism and refers to the 1940 Constitution as a model. "In Cuba, we had it: there were three or four communists working alongside other political parties. It was allowed." He warns that a future Cuba must include a social-democratic party to prevent the heirs of communism from monopolizing the electoral space.
Miret also emphasizes the need for social balance. "Justice should be equal: justice for the rich, justice for the poor, and justice for the middle class," a formula he believes the regime has destroyed over more than six decades of dictatorship.
Insights on Cuban Economic and Political Reforms
What are the recent economic reforms in Cuba?
The recent economic reforms in Cuba include provisions for private banking, the removal of the universal basic food subsidy, and the encouragement of direct foreign investment. These reforms represent the largest package of changes since the Special Period.
Why does Germán Miret believe political change is necessary in Cuba?
Germán Miret argues that genuine transformation in Cuba requires profound political change, as the current regime's political-economic system has never functioned effectively. He believes that without altering the political structure, economic reforms alone won't suffice.
What does Miret think about the Cuban regime's promises?
Miret expresses deep skepticism about the Cuban regime's promises, likening them to the untrustworthy assurances of "crooks." He urges caution and distrust towards the government's economic pledges.