In yet another promise to a nation mired in poverty, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel reiterated this Friday that he will lead the country out of its prolonged economic crisis. During his speech at the special plenary session of the Communist Party's Provincial Committee in Pinar del Río, Díaz-Canel claimed that strategies are being implemented to improve the situation and vowed that, despite the challenges, "we will overcome" this complex phase.
A post on Facebook by the newspaper Guerrillero indicates that the leader described the current period as a “difficult moment for everyone, but that doesn’t mean it’s insurmountable.” He emphasized the importance of acting on the diagnoses made to achieve concrete results. “It is essential to fight bureaucracy and the slowness of processes. Where there is bureaucracy, there is no action." He added that mechanisms of popular control must be perfected and all avenues and teamwork must be enriched, asserting that "there are conditions to end the year in better shape," a phrase he repeats frequently without visible results for the population.
These (already tired) statements come amid growing frustration among Cubans, who have heard numerous similar promises without tangible changes in their daily lives, marked by shortages, inflation, and limited access to basic services. Nevertheless, Díaz-Canel consistently asks Cubans to trust that better times will come, something most doubt. The strategy, undoubtedly, is to say, “we are in a bad situation, but we will be fine.”
In April, during the second "From the Presidency" program, he acknowledged that the public opinion on the country’s situation, food shortages, and the basic basket was "critical and negative." At that time, he assured that better times would come, as long as the people could offer alternatives, work hard, make efforts, and take advantage of what he calls "creative resistance."
In January, he urged people to work more to produce food, increase supply, and lower prices. "There is no room for surrender here; we cannot give up, and we will win and overcome, and 2024 has to be better."
FAQs on Cuba's Economic Crisis and Díaz-Canel's Promises
In light of Díaz-Canel's recent promises, many questions arise regarding the ongoing economic crisis in Cuba and the potential solutions. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What strategies is Díaz-Canel implementing to improve Cuba's economy?
Díaz-Canel mentioned fighting bureaucracy, enhancing popular control mechanisms, and promoting teamwork as part of the strategies to improve Cuba's economic situation.
Why are Cubans skeptical about Díaz-Canel's promises?
Cubans are skeptical because they have heard similar promises multiple times without seeing any tangible improvements in their daily lives.
What did Díaz-Canel say about the public opinion on the country's situation?
In April, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the public opinion on the country’s situation, including food shortages and the basic basket, was "critical and negative."