The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, announced this Friday a set of structural reforms aimed at moving towards greater liberalization of the national economy. The package, inspired by the market economy models applied in China and Vietnam, aims to cushion the effects of the economic and energy sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
In an unexpected appearance before the media, the leader presented the so-called 'Economic and Social Program for 2026', conceived as a strategic response to the "multidimensional aggression" from the White House. The plan, aimed at softening the current centrally planned economy scheme, includes a broader opening to the private sector, the entry of state-owned companies into the foreign exchange market, the possibility for Cubans residing abroad to make investments, and a simplification of procedures to boost internal production.
"Every opportunity in the midst of a crisis must be seized as a moment of takeoff, as a moment of growth. Therefore, we have established a group of priorities to face this entire situation," stated the head of state.
The proposed modifications still need to receive the approval of the Politburo of the Communist Party and the National Assembly of People's Power. Once that process is completed, the president has indicated that an "informative" and "explanatory" process will be initiated for the citizens.
(The program) "has to do with the system of economic management. There is a whole group of measures or actions that are proposed that will allow us to resolve old contradictions we have between the Plan, between central planning and stimuli, incentives," detailed Díaz-Canel from Havana.
The initiatives announced by the Cuban leader come after the increase in economic pressure on the island in recent months by the Trump administration, which seeks to force political and economic changes in the Caribbean country. An offensive that, according to Díaz-Canel himself, "is having an impact that complicates the daily lives of Cubans."
In recent dates, Washington has imposed sanctions on the Cuban president and four other people, including his predecessor, Raúl Castro. These measures are part of a context of increased pressure against Cuba since the beginning of the year, materialized in a 'de facto' blockade of fuel supply. The island's ruler has described this situation as "collective punishment" which, in his opinion, is equivalent to an "act of genocide".