The latest meeting of the Council of Ministers brought new "pearls of wisdom" from leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, who once again emphasized the centrality of the socialist model in Cuba's economy.
Gathered on Monday in the halls of the so-called Palace of the Revolution, the assembly evaluated various economic issues affecting the country's macroeconomic stability, with a particular focus on the activities of the "new economic actors."
Focusing on the campaign against "crimes and illegalities," the Cuban leader addressed the "distortions" introduced by these "new actors" that complicate macroeconomic stabilization. He cited reasons such as their "violations of established norms" and the growing corruption in the country.
To them, Díaz-Canel issued a warning: "No one here needs to worry if they are operating legally and doing things correctly."
"It was always defined—when the economic and social [socialist] model was recognized by the Army General—that the non-state sector of the economy had to work legally, as a complement to the economy, and had to pay taxes. These three things are being violated in some way. Therefore, we need to combat this," he asserted.
However, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) also acknowledged that state entities are also at fault for the issues with these "new actors."
"I insist, and I have always said, wherever there is a distortion of this kind, there was poor work, poor performance from the state entity that was related to that non-state entity," Díaz-Canel noted.
The report from the Cuban Television News (NTV) captured another moment of the meeting during which the leader, appointed by Raúl Castro, concluded with a "pearl" of his political, economic, and philosophical wisdom.
"[We are here] with the conviction that all of us are here to save the revolution and to save socialism. And remember that building socialism requires consciousness... it requires consciousness... and it requires the formation of a person who acts differently in society," Díaz-Canel remarked.
Understanding Díaz-Canel's Statements on the Cuban Economy
To further comprehend the implications of Díaz-Canel's statements during the Council of Ministers meeting, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What are the "new economic actors" referred to by Díaz-Canel?
The "new economic actors" refer to the non-state sector of the Cuban economy, including private businesses and cooperatives, which have been given more space to operate within the country's socialist framework.
Why does Díaz-Canel emphasize legality and tax payment for non-state sectors?
Díaz-Canel stresses legality and tax payment to ensure that all economic activities align with the socialist principles and contribute to the state's revenue, preventing distortions and corruption within the economy.
How does Díaz-Canel's stance affect the relationship between state and non-state entities?
Díaz-Canel's stance fosters a more regulated and controlled relationship between state and non-state entities, ensuring that the latter operates within legal boundaries and contributes to the national economy without causing macroeconomic instability.