As Cuba grapples with unprecedented levels of poverty and deprivation, President Miguel Díaz-Canel clings to a narrative detached from the harsh realities faced by the Cuban people. While the nation endures widespread power outages, Díaz-Canel boldly asserts that a "prosperous" 2025 is on the horizon. This statement was made during his virtual participation in the Eurasian Economic Supreme Council meeting held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where Cuba acts as an observer nation.
"We are an optimistic, resilient, and creative people, and we are confident that 2025 will be 'prosperous' despite the challenges in achieving common goals for sustainable development," he declared in a nearly five-minute speech. As is customary, he attributed Cuba's woes to adverse weather events and a supposed tightening of the U.S. embargo, overlooking the fact that the Biden Administration has eased some of the restrictions and sanctions that were implemented during President Donald Trump's first term.
In fact, upon taking office, President Biden lifted restrictions on travel, remittances, and flights to the island in May 2022. Yet, Díaz-Canel continues to propagate the notion that relations with Biden have been more detrimental than those with Trump. Notably absent from his discourse was any acknowledgment of his own administration's mismanagement or the failure of the Tarea Ordenamiento, a policy his government admitted to mishandling but has since avoided discussing, perhaps hoping it fades from public memory.
During his online appearance, the Cuban leader expressed hope that the Fourth Joint Commission between Cuba and the Eurasian Economic Commission, slated for the first quarter of 2025 in Russia, would yield "concrete results for all." His speech offered little in terms of substance, relying instead on the familiar rhetoric of "cooperation, solidarity, and integration." He did, however, assure host Vladimir Putin of Cuba's steadfast support, stating, "You can count on Cuba's modest and committed assistance as an Observer State."
Notably, Díaz-Canel did not explain why he did not attend the Eurasian Economic Summit in person, despite celebrating its significance as an "important economic integration mechanism" that fosters "mutually beneficial cooperation" among member countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia) and observers like Cuba. However, it is worth noting that a large Cuban delegation attended the third Eurasian Economic Forum in Armenia at the end of September and early October, with another meeting scheduled in Russia in less than three months.
This year's meeting took place on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg amid tensions between Armenia, the outgoing chair, and Belarus, which will assume leadership in 2025. In a move to underscore these tensions, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko proposed hosting the next meeting in Minsk, adhering to the tradition of alternating summits between Russia and the presiding country of the Eurasian Economic Union. This proposal also served to highlight Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan's public declaration that he would not set foot in Belarus as long as Lukashenko remained in power.
Díaz-Canel's address quickly drew reactions on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where users urged him to prioritize the Cuban healthcare system over solidarity rhetoric and recognize that the world has evolved beyond slogans. This is not the first instance of Díaz-Canel delivering an optimistic speech; he recently claimed that "the country is advancing and growing" despite challenges, while also blaming the U.S. for the shortcomings of Cuba's healthcare system, ignoring the fact that his government allocates 14 times more funding to tourism than to hospitals.
Understanding Cuba's Economic and Political Landscape
Why does Díaz-Canel believe 2025 will be prosperous for Cuba?
Díaz-Canel's optimism for 2025 is based on his belief in the Cuban people's resilience and creativity, as well as anticipated cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission. However, his view does not align with the current economic challenges faced by the country.
What has been the impact of the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
The U.S. embargo is often cited by the Cuban government as a major factor affecting its economy. However, recent easing of restrictions under the Biden Administration suggests that internal mismanagement also plays a significant role in the country's economic difficulties.
What are the criticisms of Díaz-Canel's economic policies?
Critics argue that Díaz-Canel's economic policies, including the Tarea Ordenamiento, have been poorly managed and have failed to address Cuba's core economic issues. There is also criticism over the prioritization of tourism over essential services like healthcare.