On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel delivered a speech at the conclusion of the VII Ordinary Period of Sessions of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP), filled with complex rhetoric describing the ongoing economic reforms as a historic triumph for the regime.
Díaz-Canel emphasized that government changes are not a response to external pressure, internal collapse, or a shift toward capitalism, but rather a strategy to preserve socialism in Cuba.
During the address, broadcast by Cubadebate, Díaz-Canel stated that the new economic measures are "a tool for transforming creative resistance into a real victory, safeguarding the rights achieved while paving new paths to the future."
Back in June 2026, the leader acknowledged that "resistance alone is not enough" during a special session of the Communist Party of Cuba.
On July 29 and 30, the ANPP approved five legal frameworks: the Housing Law, the Labor Code, the Law on the Organization of Central State Administration, the Agricultural and Forestry Land Law, and the five-year term reinstatement for municipal delegates.
Díaz-Canel portrayed these laws as the "legal shield to the daily heroism of the people," asserting that 120 out of the 176 economic and social transformations sanctioned in the extraordinary June session were ready for implementation.
The president sought to allay fears of a shift towards capitalism. "The transformations we are undertaking are not for more capitalism, but to defend and progress in socialist construction," he declared.
He further clarified: "Let it be perfectly clear, there will be no privatization of health, education, science, culture, or strategic services for the nation."
Addressing those questioning if the reforms are a reaction to external pressures, the regime's leader was unequivocal: "The transformations are not adopted to appease the United States, nor do they respond to any demands from the limited dialogue we've conducted. They are the result of Cuba's sovereign decision."
His speech interwove this internal defense with strong anti-American rhetoric. Díaz-Canel labeled the Trump administration as a "neofascist regime" and once again criticized the "energy blockade" against the island, which has only seen one fuel shipment in the past seven months.
Closing his remarks, he referenced the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth, asserting that "his ideas are experiencing a remarkable resurgence among people of all generations, continents, and various political schools."
While the regime heralds its new laws as a historic milestone, everyday Cubans continue to endure prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and an economic crisis that no amount of parliamentary rhetoric has managed to resolve.
Cuban Reforms and Economic Challenges
What are the key legal changes recently approved in Cuba?
The ANPP approved the Housing Law, Labor Code, Law on Central State Administration Organization, Agricultural and Forestry Land Law, and reinstated five-year terms for municipal delegates.
How does Díaz-Canel justify the new economic measures?
Díaz-Canel claims the new measures are tools to transform creative resistance into tangible victories, meant to protect achieved rights while opening new paths for the future, without leaning towards capitalism.
Is there a shift towards capitalism in Cuba's new reforms?
According to Díaz-Canel, the reforms are not intended to move towards capitalism. Instead, they aim to defend and further socialist construction without privatizing essential services.