Díaz-Canel Claims Openness to Criticism Amid Pre-Approved Reforms in Parliament

On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the Third Extraordinary Session of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power, expressing his willingness to accept criticisms. This statement comes as a package of 176 economic and social measures was approved, which the regime touts as its most ambitious response to Cuba's crisis since the introduction of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2021.

The president's rhetorical openness contrasts with the reality of the process in which an emergency economic package was presented, including unprecedented free-market measures aimed at revitalizing the island's struggling economy amid increasing pressure from the United States.

These proposals had already received approval from the Extraordinary Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba on Wednesday, one day before the formal debate by lawmakers.

In less than a week, the package transitioned from a presidential announcement—on June 12—to the stamp of approval from the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and subsequent parliamentary ratification.

During his speech, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the so-called "creative resistance" is no longer sufficient to sustain the nation. "To resistance, we owe our homeland, but today, resistance alone is not enough," he declared. He also conceded that the challenges are not solely external: "There are obstacles that do not come from outside or from blockades. There is slowness, bureaucracy, and regulations that hinder those who wish to produce."

The leader elevated food security to a matter of national security, stating plainly, "There is no sovereignty with an empty plate."

He further admitted that some of the measures "will not have absolute consensus," yet he described them as "unavoidable."

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz presented the package organized into five areas: macroeconomic stabilization, transformation of the economic model, agricultural recovery, cost management, and mitigation of social impacts.

Among the approved measures are the removal of key limits for SMEs, including the cap on workers and the restriction to one company per person. Additionally, direct foreign investment in the private sector was authorized, the non-state sector was allowed to import and sell fuels, and the removal of general price caps was announced.

One measure directly affecting the population is the shift from a universal basic goods basket to one restricted to vulnerable groups, such as retirees. Moreover, the reduction of ministries from 27 to between 20 and 21 was approved.

Raúl Castro participated in the session via videoconference, as reported by Radio Reloj, interpreted as political endorsement from the historic leader for the reform package.

The session was broadcast live on Canal Caribe, garnering over 29,700 views on Facebook, with hundreds of comments from citizens closely following the measures amidst power outages, food shortages, and lack of medicines.

Independent critics have raised concerns about both the substance and the process. Economist Pedro Monreal labeled the package as "belated pragmatism," while opposition figure Manuel Cuesta Morúa described it as "belated Chinese-style reforms."

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) projects a 6.5% decline in Cuba's GDP by 2026, with a cumulative contraction of 10.3% during 2025-2026, marking the current crisis as the deepest since the Special Period of the 1990s.