Pro-government journalist Jorge Legañoa Alonso has ruled out the idea of a capitalist Cuba, yet he has openly acknowledged that the communist revolution has endured decades marked by scarcity and hardship.
On February 17, 2026, Legañoa made these remarks during a segment of the program Mundo 20/20, in an episode titled “Trump versus Cuba.” The program focused on what they described as President Donald Trump's “interventionist escalation” towards the island.
In the broadcast, Legañoa stated, “We Cubans have the resilience and the ability to reinvent ourselves in the face of every challenge,” while conceding that economic difficulties have been a persistent issue.
“Today it might be fuel, tomorrow it could be food. The revolution has shown that there have been shortages and scarcities for about 70 years, varying with the times and international alliances,” he remarked.
The journalist, who also serves as president of the Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana Prensa Latina since his appointment in 2025, emphasized that overcoming the crisis relies on “the unity of the people” and defended the continuation of the socialist system.
“There is the capacity to prevent them from returning,” he said, referring to a potential shift in political and economic models.
Capitalism: A Dubious Prospect for Cuba
Legañoa questioned the feasibility of a capitalist system in Cuba. “There isn’t a single person who has gone to a capitalist Cuba and returned to tell us that Cuba fared better under capitalism,” he asserted.
He further cited Puerto Rico as an example, describing it as “the closest reference to what could happen in a capitalist, pro-U.S., annexed Cuba, as some seers try to make us believe.”
These statements come at a time when Cuba is grappling with a severe economic crisis, characterized by prolonged blackouts, food and fuel shortages, inflation, and a continuous decline in living standards.
Legañoa’s admission of seven decades of deprivation under the revolution rekindles the discussion about the current economic model and the potential alternatives for the country's future.
Exploring Cuba's Economic Challenges and Future Prospects
What did Jorge Legañoa Alonso say about capitalist Cuba?
Jorge Legañoa Alonso dismissed the notion of a capitalist Cuba, questioning its viability and stating there is no evidence of Cuba faring better under capitalism.
Why did Legañoa refer to Puerto Rico?
Legañoa used Puerto Rico as an example to illustrate what could happen to Cuba if it adopted a capitalist, pro-U.S. model, suggesting it would not be beneficial.
What are the current economic challenges in Cuba?
Cuba is currently facing a severe economic crisis marked by prolonged blackouts, food and fuel shortages, inflation, and a declining standard of living.