During the closing of the VII Ordinary Period of Sessions of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) on Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel urged Cuban leaders to uphold "higher ethical standards." His call comes amidst a severe economic and energy crisis acknowledged as unprecedented by the regime itself.
The parliamentary session, held on July 29 and 30 at Havana's Palace of Conventions, featured an extensive legislative agenda, including the passage of the Agricultural and Forestry Land Law, the Housing Law, the Labor Code, and the Law on the Organization of the Central State Administration.
One significant reform involved reducing the number of central agencies from 27 to 21 and cutting 92,000 public administration positions. This reorganization reflects the government's attempt to streamline operations amid economic hardship.
Díaz-Canel's emphasis on ethics is not a new theme. In the closing of the Fifth Ordinary Period of Sessions on July 18, 2025, he referenced Fidel Castro's concept of Revolution, demanding officials "never lie or violate ethical principles."
This demand is formally supported by the Code of Ethics for the Cadres of the Cuban Revolution, effective since January 15, 2024, which mandates leaders to practice austerity, reject privileges, and act with honesty and transparency, maintaining exemplary conduct even in digital spaces.
Critics argue that this ethical rhetoric often resurfaces during corruption scandals or social unrest, without resulting in genuine accountability or tangible improvements for the population.
In his closing remarks, Díaz-Canel also defended the 176 economic and social measures approved in June 2026, claiming that 120 are ready for implementation, though this claim lacks independent verification.
He denied that the reforms signify a "shift towards capitalism," describing them instead as a "refinement" of the socialist model, aligning with the regime's typical rhetoric to avoid acknowledging the systemic failures of their economic system.
The leader condemned the U.S. government as a "neofascist regime" and asserted that Cuba is neither a "colony" nor a "nation in dispute," adopting a confrontational tone that contrasts starkly with the island's pressing internal issues.
The ANPP also approved a statement condemning U.S. policy towards Cuba and urging the international community to prevent military aggression.
The backdrop of the parliamentary session highlights the crisis's magnitude: Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy addressed the deputies regarding the electricity crisis, attributing part of the decline to transformer oil theft. Meanwhile, the Electric Union predicted a record impact of 2,380 MW.
The 2025 budget closed with a deficit of 74.5 billion pesos, a figure presented to the ANPP during the session.
Raúl Castro participated in the parliament's closing day, as reported by the Cuban News Agency, signaling that the founder of the dictatorship remains present at crucial political moments for the regime.
Understanding Cuba's Current Political Landscape
What were the key laws approved during the parliamentary session?
The session approved significant legislation, including the Agricultural and Forestry Land Law, the Housing Law, the Labor Code, and the Law on the Organization of the Central State Administration.
How did Díaz-Canel describe the recent reforms?
Díaz-Canel described the reforms as a "refinement" of the socialist model, denying any move towards capitalism, despite significant economic changes.
What is the Code of Ethics for Cuban leaders?
The Code of Ethics mandates Cuban leaders to maintain austerity, reject privileges, and act with honesty, transparency, and exemplary conduct, including online.