Cuban lawmaker and entrepreneur Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes has raised concerns over Miguel Díaz-Canel's reformist rhetoric, urging that the official calls for transforming the economic and social model be backed by a tangible execution plan.
“A very necessary speech. But where's the implementation?” Pérez questioned in a Facebook post, referring to Díaz-Canel's statements during the recent Council of Ministers meeting. The Cuban leader had urged immediate actions related to business and municipal autonomy, state apparatus resizing, food production, energy matrix changes, and boosting exports.
Despite being part of the regime, Pérez argued that beyond announcements, Cuba needs "an implementation program with clear priorities, defined responsibilities, deadlines, and public oversight."
In his view, the main bottleneck is not diagnosing issues but executing solutions.
Structural Challenges and Proposals for Reform
The lawmaker identified three structural challenges that cannot be ignored. Firstly, there is a personnel deficit in key state structures responsible for executing and overseeing public policies. Many agencies report critical staffing shortages.
Secondly, he highlighted institutional weaknesses at the municipal level, where leadership positions remain unfilled, and corruption and ineffective control are rampant.
The third challenge is the insufficient energy and fuel supply, causing disruptions in basic operations and hindering any initiative.
“Without addressing these conditions, any transformation risks remaining on paper,” Pérez warned.
Among his proposals, Pérez suggested creating a "leaner but more effective state where it matters," reducing structures that add little value and concentrating resources on execution teams.
Innovative Solutions for Governance
He advocated for performance-based salaries, improved working conditions, full digitalization of essential procedures, eliminating unnecessary in-person processes, and systematic use of videoconferencing to save fuel.
Pérez also recommended a functional restructuring of ministries and chains of command, advocating for fewer approval levels, reduced "control layers," and quarterly goals with public accountability.
He urged clarity on which priorities should remain national and which can be handled locally to avoid shifting responsibilities without resources.
The lawmaker called for reviewing and repealing measures that stifle the economy, as well as equalizing opportunities for Cubans on the island compared to foreign or overseas investors.
Additionally, he proposed streamlining the creation of economic actors through mandatory timeframes and mechanisms that function even in areas with staffing and energy shortages.
Public Reaction and Economic Context
His statements sparked widespread debate on social media. Elizabeth González Aznar criticized the repeated promises without results over eight years, questioning the continued justification of failures without accountability.
Ernesto Guerra Ruidíaz recalled that many of these proposals were in the Guidelines approved over a decade ago and questioned the opportunity costs of their slow application.
Yordanis Álvarez argued that true municipal autonomy cannot be achieved without real resource decentralization and ensuring fuel availability for exports and food production.
Daniel Guerrero suggested that any transformation should include political freedoms and free elections.
Other users supported Pérez's critical stance. José Alejandro Rodríguez praised him as a voice not merely echoing official lines, while Adrián Díaz lauded his recognition of objective limitations and advocacy for simplification and bureaucratic reduction.
Miguel Ángel Márquez opined that removing the official discourse blockade would allow a focus on internal solutions.
The pronouncement comes amid an economy that, according to official data, reported a 12.5% year-on-year inflation rate in January. This is set against a backdrop of decentralization announced by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, who stated that municipalities would approve economic actors as part of the Economic and Social Program for 2026.
For Pérez, transformation cannot remain mere slogans: "Execution in Cuba, come 2026, hinges on three things: people, energy, and leadership," he concluded.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
What are the main structural challenges facing Cuba's economic reform?
The main challenges include a personnel deficit in key state structures, institutional weaknesses at the municipal level, and insufficient energy and fuel supplies.
Why is implementation a critical issue in Cuba's economic transformation?
Implementation is critical because, without a concrete execution plan, reforms risk remaining theoretical, with no real impact on the ground.
How has the public reacted to Carlos Miguel Pérez's statements?
The public response has been one of widespread debate, with many supporting his critical stance and calling for accountability and real change.