On Friday, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero declared that the nation is operating under a "war economy." He emphasized that the country's ability to sustain itself and grow by 2026 hinges on both individual and collective efforts.
In an extraordinary session of the Provincial Council of Havana, Marrero advocated for the Government Program's implementation to correct economic distortions and reenergize the economy, which he described as being in a state of severe economic complexity.
According to the Prime Minister, tangible outcomes should manifest as visible improvements in everyday life for citizens, as reported by official Cuban television. Marrero highlighted that in a "war economy," reliance on external factors is not feasible. Instead, the nation must depend on the efforts of every individual, community, and institution to determine what can be produced, distributed, and sustained.
He stressed that this mindset is the sole path to ensuring basic stability and aspiring towards development.
Marrero underscored the importance of fostering a continuous connection with the public, government structures, and mechanisms for popular participation and oversight. He spoke of a "government in the streets," explaining and guiding decisions to inspire trust and encouragement amid the crisis.
During the meeting, Havana’s Governor, Janette Hernández Pérez, identified priorities such as leveraging the territory’s internal potential and reserves, boosting physical production, restoring installed capacities, and diversifying exports.
Marrero supported this approach, emphasizing the municipality's role in devising independent solutions, particularly in food production and foreign currency generation.
The Prime Minister advocated for the integration of science as a mandatory strategy to address the economic crisis, urging the adoption of best practices, reduction of bureaucracy, and correction of internal deficiencies.
He reiterated that the "economic battle" remains the nation's primary task, with the ultimate goal of achieving public well-being through endogenous resources and a call to "collective intelligence."
For several years, Marrero has depicted the economic crisis as a "war economy," a narrative used to justify increased austerity measures, centralized planning, and control amid the island's worsening structural crisis.
In previous speeches before the National Assembly and meetings of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, he has consistently emphasized that planning and collective effort are crucial to overcoming "adverse conditions" mainly attributed to the U.S. embargo and the lack of foreign exchange, while acknowledging that progress has been insufficient to reverse deep-rooted production and financial distortions.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 during a U.S. military operation and the ensuing tensions have jeopardized one of Cuba's energy pillars: oil shipments from Venezuela, which have traditionally provided a significant portion of the fuel sustaining the island's fragile electrical grid and production.
With Venezuelan crude exports now under U.S. control and the potential suspension of shipments to the island, Cuba faces the risk of an energy collapse that could worsen blackouts, further limit production, and deepen the overall economic decline.
Understanding Cuba's Current Economic Challenges
What does Manuel Marrero mean by a "war economy"?
Manuel Marrero uses the term "war economy" to describe Cuba's need for increased self-reliance and austerity in response to severe economic challenges, requiring both individual and collective efforts to sustain and develop the country.
How is the U.S. embargo affecting Cuba's economy?
The U.S. embargo restricts Cuba's access to international markets and foreign exchange, contributing to the island's economic challenges and exacerbating production and financial distortions.
What impact could the suspension of Venezuelan oil shipments have on Cuba?
Suspending Venezuelan oil shipments could lead to an energy crisis in Cuba, worsening blackouts, reducing production capacity, and further deteriorating the economy.