As the state-run media outlet Cubadebate gathered experts on its "Cuadrando la Caja" program to discuss the government's newly approved package of 176 economic reforms, the reaction among Cubans on social media was starkly different: skepticism, sarcasm, and widespread frustration.
In an extraordinary session, the Council of State enacted two new decree-laws related to these reforms, bypassing the ordinary session of the National Assembly scheduled for July 29.
The announcement sparked a fresh wave of online reactions capturing the public sentiment: "What new scheme is this?"
First presented by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, the 176-measure package was approved by the National Assembly of People's Power on June 18 and 19, touted as the most significant attempt at structural reform since the Special Period of the 1990s.
Noteworthy among these measures are the introduction of private banking, private currency exchanges, removal of the 100-worker limit on small and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYMES), opening the private sector to foreign capital, and transforming state-owned enterprises into joint-stock companies.
However, for a populace enduring power outages lasting 20 to 40 consecutive hours, informal inflation nearing 70%, and an average monthly salary of just $15, these announcements feel like déjà vu.
Social media buzzed with comments like "Same old story with a new face" and "Lots of decrees and laws every year, but nothing changes for real." A particularly blunt viral phrase summed it up: "176 ways to steal a country."
This skepticism is not merely emotional but grounded in a history of unmet reforms. The 2011 Guidelines, the 2021 opening to MIPYMES, and the same year's Ordering Task failed to reverse structural decline. Since 2020, Cuba's GDP has shrunk by over 26%.
Activist Laritza Camacho voiced a common concern: "Who guarantees that those who have done everything wrong will suddenly get it right?"
Economists share this pessimism. Pedro Monreal described the package as a "monstrous" or "misshapen hybrid" lacking meaningful recognition of private property rights, warning of a potential "crony capitalism" favoring politically connected groups without independent courts or rule of law.
Economist Emilio Morales was more blunt, calling it a "false promise of change" and accusing the regime of having no real interest in Cuban prosperity.
Analysts note that implementing these measures requires amending over 148 legal norms and passing 32 new ones, with no comprehensive public timeline. Many agree the package primarily serves to signal foreign investors and the U.S. government without altering "a single iota of the political system."
Frustration wasn't contained online; pot-banging protests erupted in Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara, and Havana, reflecting citizens' palpable discontent.
While Cubadebate frames the reforms as part of an official aim to "revive the economy and uphold the Revolution's achievements," social media users share a different narrative: "They're just trying to save themselves."
Exploring the Skepticism Around Cuba's Economic Reforms
What are the key changes in Cuba's 176 economic measures?
The measures include private banking, private currency exchanges, removing the worker limit on small enterprises, opening private sectors to foreign capital, and transforming state enterprises into joint-stock companies.
Why are Cubans skeptical about these reforms?
Cubans are doubtful due to a history of unmet reforms and ongoing economic hardships such as prolonged power outages, high inflation, and low wages, leading them to believe these are empty promises.
How have economists responded to these measures?
Economists like Pedro Monreal and Emilio Morales criticize the reforms as superficial and potentially leading to crony capitalism, without addressing fundamental issues such as property rights and judicial independence.