Speaking at the plenary session of the Sixth Session of the 10th Legislature of Parliament, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, thanked the deputies for the profound, responsible, and concise debates that allowed them to address crucial issues of our reality.
“Only a genuine people’s assembly is capable of confronting, with a sense of urgency, serenity, realism, and commitment, the colossal challenges facing the nation at this moment and guiding it toward the future,” the president said.
He commented that in this session of the Assembly, the Economic Plan, the State Budget, the Government Program to correct distortions and revitalize the economy, the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, among other topics, were discussed and approved. These are interconnected issues that form a challenging set of tasks necessary to address the complex situation in the country, as well as the risks and threats looming over the Latin American and Caribbean region, he said.
Diaz-Canel affirmed that we are living through an extremely complex moment for the economy and the daily lives of the people, which demands deeper, faster, and more responsible responses.
The president commented that this is not just another crisis; It is the accumulation of distortions, adversities, difficulties, and our own mistakes, aggravated by an extremely aggressive external encirclement and an uncertain and dangerous international context for vital objectives such as protecting peace, promoting development, and other essential matters on the global agenda.
This context has also become dangerous for the survival of multilateralism, international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the norms that have underpinned international relations for eight decades. This threat is manifested in a singular way in the impunity with which a genocidal aggression against the Palestinian people is permitted, Díaz-Canel emphasized.
He added that the doctrine promoted by the United States, which they call by the outrageous name of “peace through strength,” essentially consists of imposing the arbitrary will and domination of U.S. imperialism on everyone through threats, coercion, and even direct aggression.
The current standard-bearer of the Monroe Doctrine and the recently published U.S. National Security Strategy ignores and jeopardizes the region’s status as a Zone of Peace, firmly proclaimed since 2014. The text shamelessly displays the ambitions of a unipolar power that responds to the interests of large transnational corporations, at the expense of the inalienable rights of the countries in the area, he emphasized.
This U.S. policy, Díaz-Canel said, openly declares the American intention to appropriate the resources and natural wealth that belong to the sovereign nations of the Western Hemisphere and their respective peoples. “This explains the push to establish U.S. military bases in various countries, the excessive and aggressive military presence in the Caribbean Sea, and the growing and provocative threats against Venezuela with such untenable pretexts that they change in a matter of days.”
The president asserted that the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and other shadowy figures involved in the dirty wars against the region have managed to steer the United States’ foreign policy apparatus toward a seemingly intractable conflict. “The threat of open or covert war against Venezuela is a criminal act under international law.”
The assault and hijacking of a fuel tanker and the illegal appropriation of its cargo—acts described as piracy and maritime terrorism—the extrajudicial arrests and executions carried out in full view of the world, accompanied by airstrikes against vessels on the high seas, the provocative incursions of U.S. warplanes into Venezuelan airspace, and the attempt to forcibly replace the Bolivarian government for the second time and impose one handpicked in Washington—as was attempted in the case of Guaidó—are all acts contrary to international law, Díaz-Canel stated.
According to the president, the United States has gone so far as to declare the dangerous intention of completely and totally blocking any oil tanker heading to Venezuela. “This is a brutal and dangerous wartime measure against a country that poses no threat to them.”
In this regard, he emphasized: “This demonstrates the impotent desperation of those who have bet on the surrender of this sister nation to the violent offensive of a clique that has seized control of U.S. foreign policy and the mechanisms of power.”
The president noted that at the recent ALBA Summit, they had the opportunity to reaffirm, in the strongest and most categorical terms, their condemnation of the threats and aggressive actions against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and Cuba’s absolute support and solidarity with this Latin American and Caribbean nation.
“Almost simultaneously, and for much longer, Cuba has been subjected to relentless economic aggression, with a criminal intensification of the blockade and the unjustified inclusion of the country on the stupid and arbitrary list of states that supposedly sponsor terrorism. This translates into the constant sabotage of commercial and financial transactions with virtually every market in the world.
“It also manifests itself in direct and indirect actions—promoted by the United States government and which we have repeatedly denounced—aimed at interfering with domestic macroeconomic performance, promoting inflation, and substantially depressing the purchasing power of the population,” he emphasized.
Díaz-Canel said that imperialist aggression has continued to use its monopolistic power over the media and the technological infrastructure of digital networks to promote hopelessness and disillusionment, irritate, disorient, and confuse, fuel speculation, and erode confidence in the leadership of the Revolution, ultimately attacking the emotional core of the Cuban nation.
“Even while waiting for “The pernicious and mendacious activity of their diplomatic representative in Cuba persists in trying to damage ties with other governments, a goal they are escalating with immoral methods in their persistent and defamatory attacks against our country’s international medical cooperation,” he stated.
The president acknowledged that 2025 was a year of great challenges, in which the country’s authority, prestige, and history of solidarity became evident.
He recalled that the United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an end to the blockade received, as always, the unanimous support of the international community, despite the dirty tricks, the brutal pressure from the United States government, and the falsehoods it spreads about Cuba.
Furthermore, Cuba’s inclusion as a partner country in the BRICS group constitutes a clear recognition of the role and leadership of the Cuban Revolution among the nations of the Global South.
He said that this has also been a year of conscious mobilization of solidarity movements with Cuba, political forces, popular movements, and civil society organizations throughout the country. latitudes. “We have continued to expand ties in various regions of the world and orient foreign policy toward expanding trade links and investment opportunities.”
The president commented that relations with Cubans residing in other nations continue to strengthen. In the past year, contacts have been expanded, along with their participation in national events and their involvement in commercial, economic, and development projects for the benefit of our society.
He reiterated that we have much to confront and resolve internally, beginning with the crucial economic sphere. “To analyze the current situation in the country, we have been realistic and self-critical, but we have also reaffirmed our confidence in the Cuban people’s capacity for resistance and victory. The Homeland will not surrender.”
According to the Cuban president, we are guided by three principles: unity, continuity, and creative resistance. “Unity around the Party, the Revolution, and the Marxist, Martí-inspired, and Leninist ideals. Continuity of the historical legacy and the work we are building.” Creative resilience to create, innovate, and move forward despite the shortages.”
“Today we completed an intense, profound, and vitally important working session for the present and future of the nation. With our characteristic critical and revolutionary spirit, we addressed core issues that touch the heart of the socialist project we defend and are building together.
“No one in Cuba needs to be told that the economy is under strain. It’s felt in the lines, in our wallets, in the blackouts, in the unreliable transportation, and in the scarcity of food. We come from years of negative GDP growth, high inflation, shortages, an energy crisis, and a drop in foreign income.
“In this context, it is crucial that Parliament send a clear message: the magnitude of the crisis is acknowledged, reality is not being glossed over, and at the same time, the political will to change what needs to be changed to defend social justice and national sovereignty is reaffirmed,” the president said.
Díaz-Canel referred to the work done the previous day in the Economic Commission, where an intense debate took place on the urgent need to increase national production to position it as a fundamental pillar in the economic recovery. “There are still shortcomings that we have not been able to overcome, which, on the one hand, affect national consumption and, on the other, limit exports, depriving us of important financial resources,” he said.
He pointed out that a country whose finances are under attack by its enemies is obligated to manage its foreign exchange earnings rigorously and efficiently, as these are essential to address the problems and make key investments in thermal power generation, the pharmaceutical industry, public transportation, and other sectors.
“They must put “We must face those who fail to comply, because their non-compliance results in the loss of millions of dollars that were earmarked for the economy. In short, accountability and a timely analysis of what is failing, with concrete solutions for each case, are essential,” he emphasized.
The Cuban president also commented that as long as we don’t do this and remain stuck in the analysis of descriptive reports and diagnoses that solve nothing, we will not change the economic situation. “We need a real working method: macroeconomic stabilization, correction of distortions, and productive stimulus, not as slogans, but as a system of concrete decisions with defined deadlines and responsibilities. That is the challenge we reaffirm here today. There is no room for resigned contemplation of the crisis.”
Diaz-Canel added that macroeconomic stabilization is not a technocratic achievement; it is the condition for wages to have value, for the market to function—not for itself, but to guarantee a sustainable social policy. “The government program to correct distortions and revitalize the economy cannot remain merely a reference document; it must become the mandatory roadmap for all agencies, companies, and regions.”
The president said that the discussions in this session have confirmed the main challenges: reducing energy vulnerability and dependence on fuel imports; restoring productive capacity, especially in food, energy, and basic industry, with the coordinated and committed participation of all economic actors; maintaining the rules that limit the fiscal deficit and inflation to protect the purchasing power of wages and pensions; increasing and diversifying external income, particularly through tourism, the export of goods and services, remittances, and foreign investment; and protecting the most vulnerable sectors from the impacts of price adjustments and subsidies.
“All of these objectives were already being addressed, and now definitive decisions must be made,” Díaz-Canel emphasized.
He noted that the transformations we must make are not only structural, but also about mindset. “This is reflected in everyday life, in things that get stuck or simply don’t move forward due to a lack of flexibility or because of schemes that don’t work for these times and under such adverse circumstances.”
The president emphasized that the only limit to flexibility is anything that threatens our principles: self-determination, sovereignty, and national independence. “Beyond that, we must increasingly and fearlessly promote any initiative that helps us overcome the powerful obstacles the enemy puts in place and move forward,” he said.
“No one has described how socialism is built in a country that was born into true independence after more than four centuries of colonization and 60 years of neocolonial domination. No one but Cuba can speak of what it means to promote development with social justice after the sudden disappearance of the socialist bloc to which it belonged.
“No one can tell us what it means to resist, in an exemplary manner but at a high economic and social cost, an infamous policy of encirclement and fierce persecution like the one Cuba suffers. We, the Cuban people, are writing this story every day, right now.”
“These are tools that express the political will to prioritize serving the people, investing in strategic areas, and constantly striving for efficiency,” the president commented.
Díaz-Canel denounced the financial blockade as a criminal affliction, but stated that there is no room for terrorism here. “Our response is greater creativity, greater discipline, greater control, and a relentless fight against what holds us back: thieves, bureaucracy, indolence, and corruption.”
“Bureaucrats, the indolent, and the corrupt are the very antithesis of the Revolution, because their actions deny the people, who are the essence and meaning of our project. And I go even further, because they harbor treason. We have seen this several times throughout history, but we have also witnessed the Revolution’s antidote capacity to purge itself of traitors. And that antidote lies in the people, who, when properly tempered, will unmask the pretender,” he emphasized.
Regarding the Economic Plan and the State Budget, the president said that we have acknowledged the tensions, inflation, and GDP deficit in various sectors. “But we have also reaffirmed that correcting distortions and revitalizing the economy is not an option, but a concrete battle for stability and popular unity.”
“This battle demands economic rigor, but also social justice, because we do not accept a model that sacrifices equity in the name of efficiency,” he commented.
According to Díaz-Canel, the Economic Plan analyzed in the Assembly is a plan of offensive and profound readjustment that seeks to prioritize food production, removing obstacles, guaranteeing basic inputs, and, above all, generating real incentives for producers, both state and non-state.
Its objective is to accelerate investments and operational solutions in the national power system, combining the repair of thermoelectric plants with greater efficiency and the growth of renewable energies. He also proposed streamlining and making more transparent the allocation of foreign currency, so as to favor sectors that export, substitute imports, and supply the domestic market with their own production, he explained.
The president emphasized that it is essential to give real autonomy to socialist state-owned enterprises to increase productivity and efficiency, demanding measurable results and not tolerating inertia or stagnation. “Success in 2026 is not just about fulfilling the plan; it’s about demonstrating that it translates into visible change in the territories and in the lives of the people.”
Regarding the budget approved in this session—focused on food production, essential services, and social programs—he commented that it must be implemented with transparency and rigor, “and it is our responsibility to ensure that this happens.”
“As we have seen, this budget starts from severe constraints, but it preserves the priority of health, education, social security, and protection for the most vulnerable,” he noted.
The president emphasized that the transition from subsidies for products to subsidies for people must be done carefully, transparently, and with participation, so as not to leave anyone behind.
“We must demand that every peso of the budget has verifiable productive or social backing; that unproductive spending, projects that do not add value, and structures that do not generate results be drastically reduced; and that local governments assume greater responsibility for revenue collection and the efficient use of resources. This is not about making adjustments for the sake of adjustments; it is about making adjustments to grow with equity and sustainability,” he commented.
Regarding the government program to correct distortions and revitalize the economy, the president said that this is not a simple technical adjustment; it is a revolutionary necessity to perfect our socialism under construction, making it more prosperous, sustainable, and just.
“We understand the concerns and the impacts that some measures may have on daily life. But, as has been explained here and throughout the country, inaction would be the greatest risk.”
“We must bring order to what is disordered, properly value our work, stimulate productive effort, and put an end to illegal activities and imbalances. This program is a call for the conscious participation of everyone, for every Cuban man and woman, from their own position, to be a protagonist in the rectification and progress,” Díaz-Canel emphasized.
According to the president, the Program has clear objectives: to regulate prices and tariffs, stabilize the exchange rate, improve the relationship between the state and non-state sectors, incentivize production, and protect those who have the least. “All of this will be enriched by the debates currently taking place at the grassroots level and in local governments.”
“The government program we have approved seeks precisely to correct these distortions, strengthen the Socialist State as the engine of development, and pave the way for all forms of management that contribute to the country. We cannot allow the dual currency system, the lack of productive incentives, or bureaucracy to dilute the people’s efforts.
“The problem is no longer a lack of diagnosis, but rather the speed and consistency of implementation,” he said.
He added that it is necessary to emphasize this point: each ministry, agency, and territorial government must present concrete plans for the program’s implementation, with quarterly goals and public accountability.
“Measures that prove ineffective or counterproductive must be rectified without delay, with political humility and technical agility. Communication with the people must be reviewed and strengthened, explaining what is being done, why it is being done, what effect is expected, and within what timeframe. We lack innovation in communication as a science. It’s not just what is said, but how it is said. A program that is not understood or doesn’t feel controlled ends up being perceived as a series of improvisations. To avoid this, it is essential to refine it and build consensus through the public consultation that is already underway,” he said.
The president recalled that in recent days we have debated and approved the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, an essential legal instrument for charting the course toward technological sovereignty and the development we need.
“We must transform science and innovation into engines of inclusion in every sector of society. This law is a firm step in that direction, so that the knowledge created by our talented people translates into concrete solutions. Science cannot remain confined to laboratories; it must become practical solutions for production, energy, health, and people’s daily lives.”
The Cuban leader pointed out that the country does not have infinite reserves of material resources, but it does possess reserves of scientific, technical, and academic talent that are not always utilized. “Economic and planning decisions must be based on science, studies, modeling, and impact assessment. Universities, businesses, and local communities must be integrated into a single innovative cycle. Innovation is not only technological; it is also organizational, managerial, participatory, communicative, and related to social control. These elements must cease to be merely complementary and become engines of the economic change we need.”
The president commented that the challenges Cuba faces in 2025 and 2026 will only be resolved through concrete work, systematic oversight, and active popular participation. “The Plenum of the Central Committee and this session of the Assembly agree on one idea: it is not enough to approve, we must implement.”
He commented that from this Assembly we must assume several political commitments: to strengthen the bond between each deputy and their constituents, communicating, listening, explaining, and gathering concrete proposals to improve public policies; to fight head-on against bureaucracy, corruption, waste, the misappropriation of resources, and the lack of sensitivity to the people’s problems; and to consolidate unity, not as uncritical unanimity, but as the building of consensus through responsible debate and participation.
“The Cuban people are exhausted, but they will never be defeated,” the president said, adding that Cuba’s history demonstrates that when the political leadership, institutions, and people work together, with truth, discipline, and creativity, no blockade or crisis can steal our future.
“The decision to postpone the Ninth Party Congress should not be seen as a setback, but as a necessary and mature measure that will allow us to consolidate our strength, improve the nation’s situation, increase public confidence, and create the conditions for a more fruitful congress. A congress that, as the Constitution affirms, will consolidate the construction of socialism and the advance toward a communist society. That is what the General of the Army has called us to do.”
According to the president, this decision will be an opportunity in 2026 to recover as much as possible and move forward in fulfilling our commitments. It will also allow us to implement the necessary adjustments in the structures of the Party, the Government, and the State, facilitating, without haste, the exchange of opinions and perspectives that this process demands.
“All the forces and energies of the Party, the State, the Government, and the people must be concentrated on improving the country’s situation: advancing the disciplined and controlled implementation of the approved economic measures; strengthening support for territories affected by natural disasters; promoting youth participation in all aspects of national life; intensifying the ideological, cultural, and communications battle; and defending the truth about Cuba against manipulation and disinformation.”
The president noted that during this period, we will also continue the public debate on the government program aimed at correcting distortions and revitalizing the economy, and we will implement the actions necessary to achieve its objectives. “We will also continue working on the documents that, after the public consultation, will be debated in Congress, and which are already well advanced.”
“We conclude this session with the conviction that the National Assembly has risen to the challenge of its historic responsibility. Homeland or Death!
“We must transform what we have approved here into reality: that every law, every plan, and every budget becomes tangible action in people’s lives; that science and innovation translate into concrete solutions; that the economy regains its vitality without sacrificing social justice; and that we never put at risk the life that is the apple of our eye, as the Army General and leader of the Revolution, Comrade Raúl, has called it. That is our greatest strength in the face of all threats.”
“We trust in our capacity for revolutionary offensive, in our resilience, and in our creativity. No one can tell us how to act because, as I said in the Plenum, the greatest guarantee lies in the quality of the discussions and in the superior way we address problems when they are directly at hand. We are fully committed to solving these problems and charting a path to overcome them.
“The decisions we make cannot remain confined to the press; they will be seen in the improvement of daily life in the country.” “That will be the true test of the shared commitment and transformative power of this Parliament, as well as the vitality of the Cuban Revolution,” he commented.
He said that here, in the National Assembly—the assembly of the Cuban people—with its talented young people, its women and men from the most diverse professions and trades; white, black, and mixed-race, seasoned in a thousand battles, ethical and committed to the revolutionary project: Long live the Cuban Revolution and onward!
“The greatest proof of its existence is, precisely, the relentless efforts of its enemies to suffocate and destroy it to its very foundations.” This Assembly has the honor of presenting a proposal of profound patriotic and revolutionary significance.”
Díaz-Canel proposed to the Assembly that 2026 be officially proclaimed the Year of the Centenary of Commander Fidel Castro Ruz. “It will be the year to study his thought more deeply, to emulate his example of tireless work, fidelity to principles, and absolute trust in the people and in the victory of ideas.”
The president urged that every task undertaken in 2026, from the most complex economic transformations to the simplest gesture of solidarity, be imbued with Fidel Castro’s fighting spirit, his profound love for the people, and his unwavering commitment to social justice.
He noted that the key lies in turning every problem into a solution, every limitation into a reason to create, and every threat into a reason to unite more closely. We will not lower our guard; we will deepen the ideological and cultural battle, defend our achievements, and work tirelessly for a sovereign and just nation. and the prosperity this nation deserves.
“The task is complex, but the will of this people and this National Assembly, the will to safeguard independence, sovereignty, and the Revolution in the face of the many dangers that threaten us today, cannot be separated from the history that brought us here, overcoming trials that seemed impossible,” the president stated.
“With these memories of Fidel and with the will to overcome the impossible, the year 2026—the Centennial Year of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro—will find us fighting and more united than ever,” he concluded.
IMAGE CREDIT: Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate.
[ SOURCE: CUBA DEBATE ]
