Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara and a spokesperson for the Cuban regime, has harshly criticized Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), stating that they are not fulfilling their original mission of production. "They should stop importing; after all, during the Special Period, everyone had needs, everyone faced shortages, but it was equal," she asserted.
In an interview with the leftist Latin American project "Voces en la Lucha", Guevara acknowledged that there is a "serious economic problem" in Cuba, and that following disastrous economic policies, "instead of two currencies, we now have four," leading to the creation of the MSMEs. "Since these small private businesses were established, they have privileges that the state does not. They are not as pressured by the blockade and therefore can import a lot of things. Initially, all these companies were created to produce, but many have become importers. They import at black market prices, and workers cannot compete with that," she argued.
She illustrated her point by saying she earns 4,000 pesos, yet a cheese costs 7,000 and a carton of eggs costs 3,000 pesos. "So tell me, do I eat eggs or do something else? I can't do everything; it's not possible. Despite the state subsidizing the basic basket, it doesn't last until the end of the month. Right now, the situation in Cuba is very difficult, very, very difficult," Guevara emphasized.
Guevara reiterated that the wages earned by "state workers are not enough to live on, and that is a serious problem in a socialist society." During the interview, she said this issue needs to be resolved, and among the proposals she makes is price control for the MSMEs. "We need to solve this. I don't think increasing salaries is the answer; I think it would be best to control prices. Some people say, 'well, if prices are controlled, MSMEs will stop importing.' Well, let them stop importing; after all, during the Special Period, everyone had needs, everyone faced shortages, but it was equal. We need to find solutions," she underlined.
Recently, the regime in Havana capped the price of six basic products but asked Cubans to work harder to face the high prices on the island, as they claimed these could not be reduced "on a whim." The renowned Cuban economist Pedro Monreal analyzed the possible consequences of implementing price caps and considered it could be another erratic measure: "instead of using the market to make the 'plan' more flexible, (the Cuban authorities) are numbing the market with the plan."
Several weeks ago, Guevara once again attacked the MSMEs, calling for increased surveillance by the CDR (Committees for the Defense of the Revolution), considering them a potential threat to national security. "MSMEs pose risks to security because they can facilitate the entry of drugs or other illicit goods into the country. We need to intensify controls by the CDR on what happens in Cuba," she stated in an interview with the portal Ilfattoquotidiano.
Understanding Aleida Guevara's Criticism of MSMEs in Cuba
To provide a deeper insight into Aleida Guevara's recent statements regarding MSMEs, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why is Aleida Guevara critical of MSMEs in Cuba?
Aleida Guevara criticizes MSMEs for not fulfilling their initial mission of production and instead becoming importers, which she believes exacerbates economic inequality in Cuba.
What does Guevara suggest to solve the economic issues in Cuba?
Guevara suggests controlling prices of MSMEs rather than increasing salaries, to ensure more equitable access to goods and services.
How does the Cuban government respond to high prices on the island?
The Cuban government has recently capped the prices of six basic products but calls for citizens to work harder, as they claim price reductions cannot be made arbitrarily.
What are the potential risks of MSMEs according to Guevara?
Guevara believes MSMEs could pose risks to national security by facilitating the entry of drugs or other illicit goods into Cuba, and calls for increased surveillance by the CDR.