The renowned Cuban economist Pedro Monreal raised concerns on social media platform X about the absence of 2023 agricultural statistics, with just 45 days left in the year. This raises the question: is the regime afraid to reveal the shortcomings of its economic policies?
Monreal points out that this delay is unusual, given that agricultural indicators are typically easier to compile compared to other economic sectors and should not pose significant challenges. He suggests that rather than being a technical incompetence, this lack of transparency might be a deliberate move to hide negative figures that could confirm the failure of the government's economic strategies.
Economic Optimism vs. Harsh Realities
This concern arises as the regime continues to assert that its reforms, aimed at "correcting distortions and revitalizing the economy," are yielding positive results—a claim hard to believe amid the country's ongoing systemic crisis. While Miguel Díaz-Canel, Manuel Marrero Cruz, and their entourage profess progress in national production, Cuban families are forced to find daily ways to survive.
Food Shortages and Agricultural Struggles
The severe food shortages impacting the population, along with persistent agricultural challenges, cast serious doubt on the government's unfounded optimism. For instance, the disastrous outcomes of recent sugar harvests are well known.
In September 2023, the ousted former Minister of the Food Industry, Manuel Sobrino Martínez, claimed that the country had the capacity to significantly increase food supply despite financial constraints and other adverse factors. However, since 2022, Cuban farmers have not seen marked improvements in their production or income, leading to mounting frustration.
Unfulfilled Promises of Agricultural Reform
Although the government approved 63 economic measures in April 2021 to boost agriculture, producers argue that these reforms have not delivered the desired impact. Inflation has eroded profits, rendering earnings insufficient for new investments and productivity enhancements.
In conclusion, the official silence regarding the 2023 agricultural statistics underscores the ineffectiveness of the policies enacted—a critical issue for food security and the well-being of the Cuban population.