Pedro Monreal Criticizes the 176 Economic Measures: "A Deformed Hybrid"

On Friday, Cuban economist Pedro Monreal González sharply criticized the recent package of 176 economic measures approved by the National Assembly. In his analysis, published on his platform "El Estado como tal," Monreal labeled the measures as a "monster," or perhaps more accurately, a "deformed hybrid."

Drawing inspiration from Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci, Monreal described these measures as emerging from the "twilight" of an ostensible economic model transition proclaimed by the regime. He compared the situation to "bathing in the Jordan" without relinquishing the core elements of the past.

Monreal distinguishes this list from a genuine reform package, arguing that it "sells" a partial privatization while maintaining the view of private property as a revocable privilege, "instrumental and subordinate to political power," rather than as an inherent right.

Permitting vs. Recognizing Rights

A key point in his analysis is the frequent use of the word "permit" within the document, appearing 29 times. Monreal views this as a permissive stance from the authorities ("I allow you to have"), highlighting a stark contrast with the legal acknowledgment of an inalienable right.

"Nowhere in the 176 measures can you find a substantive acknowledgment of the right to private property," Monreal asserted. For such recognition to exist, he argued, there must also be a legal limitation on state power, ensuring that expropriation is exceptional and subject to due process.

Omissions and Contradictions

Monreal also pointed out what the document lacks: terms like protection of private property, commercial arbitration, negotiated dispute resolution, claims, or compensation. He stressed that these are "essential for the level of private activity the document seems to aspire to."

While the initial presentation mentioned the need to review and draft around 180 legal norms, Monreal deemed it "unlikely" that this process will encompass the property rights perspective necessary for the private sector expansion suggested by the package.

The 176 measures, sanctioned on June 19 by the National Assembly and introduced by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, represent the most significant structural reform effort since the Special Period, spanning 23 areas, including private banking, foreign investment, and partial dollarization.

Marrero Cruz admitted before the Assembly that the package would create "contradictions" that the regime must address on the fly, while Miguel Díaz-Canel asserted, "We are not renouncing socialism." The U.S. State Department was more blunt, describing the reforms as "superficial smoke signals," asserting they are modest and long overdue.

Current Economic Crisis

Monreal's critique comes amid the most severe economic downturn Cuba has faced in decades. The island has suffered a contraction exceeding 26% since 2020, with power outages lasting 20 to 40 hours at a time, real inflation near 70% in informal markets, and average wages barely reaching 15 dollars a month.

Previously, Monreal had warned of the risk that selling shares of state-owned companies could lead to "crony capitalism," where those benefiting are individuals with political ties. This warning is further underscored by another telling omission: the document makes no mention of GAESA, the military-financial conglomerate controlling key sectors of the Cuban economy, as highlighted by economist Mauricio de Miranda.

Monreal is part of the Cuba Transformación group, which has developed an alternative proposal for a social market economy based on a democratic rule of law. The group clarified that their proposal is not aimed at the current Cuban government, underscoring the significant gap between the island’s reality and any genuine structural reform.