During the debut of "Shared Opinion," a new radio program featuring Miguel Díaz-Canel on Radio Rebelde, an anonymous listener issued a stark warning: "In our attempt to preserve the achievements of socialism, we might inadvertently fall into the harshest and most ruthless form of capitalism. Proceed with caution."
The show, co-hosted by journalist Bárbara Betancourt under the slogan "every voice in Cuba matters," aired on Wednesday, September 23, and will be broadcast every other Wednesday.
For 55 minutes, Díaz-Canel fielded grievances regarding prices, pensions, and bureaucracy. However, his responses mainly revolved around defending the 176 economic and social changes approved by the National Assembly in June 2026, while attributing the nation's crisis to the ongoing U.S. embargo.
The Public Speaks Out
Another listener was even more forthright during the "vox populi" segment: "The economy is increasingly in private hands. They speculate, hoard, evade taxes, set prices, and raise them without any justification."
Díaz-Canel, with firm resolve, replied, "There is no turning back to capitalism. These changes are not a shift towards capitalism nor a capitalist restoration; they are an update of our economic and social model within a socialist framework that must also be innovative."
Defending the Socialist Model
The leader has reiterated this stance multiple times. Since the approval of the 176 measures, he has emphasized that reforms do not mean abandoning socialism. In July, he acknowledged concerns about the growth of private capital, yet assured that everything would remain under the Communist Party's control.
To bolster his position, the program played a clip of dictator Fidel Castro from the 1990s, where the historical leader justified introducing market mechanisms during the Special Period: "We will necessarily introduce more elements of private property, capitalism, and the market. It must be done. But with the strength of the revolution, we should not fear it."
Reality Contradicts Official Narrative
While Díaz-Canel defended the model, listeners painted a contrasting reality. Pedro Rodríguez Martínez from Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, reported that cooking oil costs between 3,600 and 5,000 pesos, lamenting that "salaries and pensions are insufficient to live." Juana Pérez, an 88-year-old retiree from Havana with a pension of 2,000 pesos, urged that measures consider the elderly. Díaz-Canel mentioned differentiated subsidies but did not specify amounts or timelines.
The leader himself read statistics from his "dashboard" confirming the dire situation: an energy deficit exceeding 2,020 megawatts, more than 3.6 million people facing water issues, 890 out of 1,600 bakeries unable to produce bread due to flour shortages, and urban transport operating at a mere 1.6% nationwide.
Regarding fuel, Díaz-Canel claimed Cuba has gone "nine months without receiving a fuel shipment," a statement contradicted by facts. The Russian tanker Anatoli Kolodkin docked at Matanzas port on March 31, 2026, with approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil—equivalent to 740,000 barrels—and unloading completed by April 4, according to CUPET. The leader also omitted mention of private sector fuel imports.
Controlled Engagement with the Public
The listeners' interventions were pre-recorded, preventing any live questioning or challenging of Díaz-Canel's responses, and the station did not explain the selection criteria for calls.
"Shared Opinion" marks Díaz-Canel's second attempt to establish direct communication with the public. In March 2024, he launched the podcast "From the Presidency," which reached 32 episodes before abruptly ceasing updates, with its last episode covering the controversial ETECSA rate hike.
At the program's conclusion, Díaz-Canel promised that all received calls, even those not aired, would be "transcribed, organized, and delivered for attention and follow-up."
Understanding Cuba's Economic Reforms
What are the 176 economic and social transformations approved by Cuba's National Assembly?
These are a series of reforms aimed at updating Cuba's economic and social model while maintaining its socialist framework. The specifics include various economic adjustments and social policies intended to address current challenges.
How has the U.S. embargo affected Cuba's economy?
According to the Cuban government, the U.S. embargo has significantly impacted the country's economy by restricting trade and access to resources, thus exacerbating existing economic challenges.
Why do some Cuban citizens fear a shift toward capitalism?
Some citizens worry that the ongoing reforms could lead to increased private sector control and the erosion of socialist principles, potentially resulting in economic inequality and exploitation similar to capitalist systems.