Amid significant political tension both domestically and internationally, Miguel Díaz-Canel has called for transformative changes to originate "from the Party" in Cuba. He asserted that party members should acknowledge their responsibility for "everything that goes wrong" and the country's ongoing failures.
The Cuban leader's remarks were delivered during extraordinary plenary sessions of the Communist Party Provincial Committees in Pinar del Río and Artemisa, held on January 7 and broadcasted by official media outlets.
This appeal comes at a time when Cuba is grappling with a severe economic crisis, characterized by extended power outages, food shortages, deteriorating basic services, and growing public discontent.
“We need to ensure that both our party members and grassroots organizations feel accountable for all that malfunctions,” Díaz-Canel emphasized, urging that each challenge be tackled from the party's foundation with increased discipline, ideological commitment, and by "going the extra mile" as members.
The speech followed closely on the heels of the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, Havana's key political ally, who appeared before a federal court in New York. He and his wife, Cilia Flores, face charges of narcoterrorism and cocaine trafficking.
This symbolic blow to the Chavismo movement set the international stage for Díaz-Canel's addresses. During the plenary sessions, the Cuban president labeled Maduro's detention as an "imperialist and fascist aggression," warning that the events in Venezuela pose a threat to all of Latin America.
Controversy amplified as the statement circulated on social media. A denial was issued from the official Presidency Cuba account, accusing a foreign digital outlet of distorting the leader's words. However, within the same denial thread, the Presidency reiterated Díaz-Canel's statement verbatim, confirming the message had been accurately reported.
That day, the official Presidency website published a lengthy article titled "Going the Extra Mile as Party Members in Today's Cuba," reinforcing the notion that party members should shoulder greater responsibility, act with increased rigor, and reject any internal silence or reservations.
The article underscores that commitments must transcend mere documentation and that the Party's grassroots should serve as the primary platform for action.
Understanding the Political Context in Cuba
What did Díaz-Canel suggest as the starting point for changes in Cuba?
Díaz-Canel proposed that changes in Cuba should begin from within the Communist Party, with party members taking responsibility for improving the current situation.
Why is Cuba currently facing an economic crisis?
Cuba is experiencing a deep economic crisis due to prolonged power outages, food shortages, declining basic services, and increasing social dissatisfaction.
How did the arrest of Nicolás Maduro affect Díaz-Canel's speech?
The arrest of Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of Havana, influenced Díaz-Canel's speech by adding an international dimension, as he condemned the arrest as an act of aggression and warned of its implications for Latin America.