Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has come to the defense of the island's political system, asserting that "there are no billionaires in the Cuban parliament."
During an exclusive interview with NBC News, Rodríguez highlighted that the National Assembly consists of "a majority of women, representatives from all societal sectors, and students directly and freely chosen by voters without the interference of political parties."
The 22-minute interview took place on Wednesday alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York, following remarks by President Donald Trump labeling Cuba as a "completely failed state" and predicting that "freedom will come to Cuba." These statements led the Cuban delegation to walk out in protest.
The Cuban Parliament vs. U.S. Plutocracy
Rodríguez portrayed the National Assembly of People's Power as a model of direct participation, contrasting it with what he described as a U.S. "plutocracy" where "money and corporations are in control." He emphasized, "There are no special interests, no seats bought with advertising money."
However, what the foreign minister did not mention is that Cuba lacks a multiparty system: the Communist Party is the only legal political force, defined by the Constitution as the "superior leading force" of the state. Candidates do not compete as party representatives but are selected by official nomination committees.
Humanitarian Crisis and U.S. Embargo
When asked whether the regime would consider reforming its single-party system, Rodríguez was adamant: "We are very comfortable with the constitutional order, which, unlike in the United States, has been chosen and confirmed by Cuban citizens through several universal participation referendums."
The interview, led by NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell, also delved into the humanitarian crisis on the island. Rodríguez attributed the power outages and shortages to an energy embargo declared in January 2026, which blocked fuel entry, and to secondary extraterritorial sanctions imposed in May of the same year.
He described the situation as a "genuine act of collective punishment" and even used the term "genocide." Rodríguez claimed that infant mortality has doubled—from 4 to 9.9 deaths per 1,000 live births—and that the life expectancy of Cuban children with cancer dropped from 85% to 65%, attributing these figures to the lack of medical supplies and equipment, without providing independent sources for validation.
Military Tensions and Diplomatic Talks
On the subject of military tensions, Rodríguez denied that Cuba could be targeted in an operation similar to the one that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture in January 2026. "The U.S. military aggression against Venezuela cost the lives of 32 Cuban guards protecting President Maduro," he stated, calling the operation an "illegal act, completely violating international law."
As for diplomatic discussions between Havana and Washington, Rodríguez admitted that there have been "some episodes of conversation" but blamed Washington for the lack of progress due to its "misunderstanding and restrictive attitude." He refused to disclose who the interlocutors are and declined to answer whether Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, is involved in these negotiations.
When asked about Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement that there are regime figures with whom the U.S. "can never work because their hands are stained with blood," Rodríguez replied briefly: "He lies, lies again."
The context of the interview is one of heightened tension: this Friday, CBS News revealed that the U.S. Army Reserve is assessing the availability of military units for the Southern Command within 90 to 120 days, in a plan linked by officials to Cuba, although no deployment orders have been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Political System
Why does Cuba have a single-party system?
Cuba operates under a single-party system where the Communist Party is the only legal political entity, defined by its Constitution as the "superior leading force" of the state.
What are the impacts of the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
The U.S. embargo on Cuba has led to significant challenges, including power outages and shortages of essential goods, as it restricts the island's access to fuel and imposes extraterritorial sanctions.
How does Cuba's National Assembly differ from the U.S. Congress?
The Cuban National Assembly is presented as a model of direct participation, with representatives from various sectors chosen without party mediation, contrasting with the U.S. Congress where financial influences are significant.