This week, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz concluded a three-day training session for presidents of Business Groups and Government Boards, held at the School for Senior State and Government Officials. During the event, he took the opportunity to stress to the media the importance of the government's ability to "inspire and engage everyone, including the public" so that Cubans can begin to appreciate the "results" of the 176 economic changes approved in June.
His statement, delivered with a confidence seemingly unaware of its irony, aptly summarizes the situation in Cuba: a government that has been managing scarcity for decades now needs to "motivate" the population to notice improvements.
A New Focus on State Enterprises
The training, sponsored by the National Institute of State-Owned Business Assets, reaffirmed the socialist state enterprise as "the primary economic actor," according to a report by Canal Caribe. This initiative is part of a series of training sessions initiated since the National Assembly approved a package of measures last June.
With a didactic approach, Marrero touched on the measures already in place, the regulations supporting them, and the prospects he envisions: "The transformations are the 'what'—what we aim to achieve. [...] To date, 158 are implemented with the support of 194 regulations; the regulations outline how we will turn that 'what' into results," he explained, albeit in a manner that doesn't clarify much for those who have gone months without being able to buy chicken.
Optimism Amid Economic Challenges
As is typical, the head of government expressed "optimism," promising that increased production will "gradually lead to lower prices and help curb the inflation that so severely affects our economy." However, Marrero omitted that the official year-on-year inflation rate reached 25.19% in August 2026.
Economists suggest that the actual inflation rate, considering the informal market, could be significantly higher. By the end of this past Saturday, the informal exchange rate for the dollar was 738 pesos, and for the euro, 840.
The disparity with the minimum wage is staggering: 3,210 Cuban pesos per month—equivalent to less than five dollars at the informal exchange rate—since July 2026, compared to an estimated 96,000 pesos needed to cover basic needs. Against this backdrop, the promise to "motivate the population" takes on a peculiar tone.
Addressing Public Uncertainty
Marrero did acknowledge that there is "a lot of uncertainty" among the people, but quickly added that the process is "complex" and "highly integrative," and that he and his team are "optimistic because we are seeing the beginning of the release of these [productive] forces." These are the same forces that the regime has been restricting (and promising to unleash) for nearly seven decades.
He also praised the fact that business leaders are "opening up" and "seeking their own solutions," although last July, when he called for "bold entrepreneurs," the public response on social media was to label any investment in the island as "economic suicide."
This isn't the first time the prime minister has acknowledged that the greatest obstacle lies within the government itself. In June, he admitted that "the greatest transformation must be in our way of thinking," directly pointing to state officials.
After three days of intensive training for business executives, the diagnosis seems to have expanded: it's not just about changing the mindset of officials but also about "motivating" the millions of Cubans who, while waiting for prices to drop, continue to endure long lines, power outages, and record-high emigration.
"Now the most important part remains—actually being able to feel those results," Marrero Cruz concluded at the event's end. A sentiment that could just as easily have been expressed by any ordinary Cuban standing in front of an empty shelf.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Changes
What are the 176 economic transformations mentioned by Marrero Cruz?
The 176 economic transformations are a set of measures approved in June intended to revitalize the Cuban economy by improving productivity, increasing production, and addressing inflation.
How does inflation impact the Cuban population?
Inflation significantly affects the Cuban population by decreasing the purchasing power of the already low wages, making it difficult for citizens to afford basic necessities.
Why is there a contrast between the official and informal exchange rates?
The contrast arises because the official exchange rate does not reflect the true market conditions, leading to a more accurate valuation of the currency in the informal market where demand and supply dynamics are at play.