Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has affirmed that the Cuban people’s determination — led by the Party and the government — to implement the socioeconomic transformations approved by the National Assembly of People’s Power. The leader hosted the podcast *Desde la Presidencia* (From the Presidency); given its significance, Radio Havana Cuba is publishing the full text of the remarks made during the program.
Díaz-Canel on the Transformations: “The challenge is formidable, but we will not stop”
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, hosted a new episode of the podcast *Desde la Presidencia* this week, focusing on the economic and social transformations the country is undergoing. He was joined on the program by Manuel Marrero Cruz, member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, as well as Minister of Justice Rosabel Gamón Verde.
The *Desde la Presidencia* podcast — hosted by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez — returns with a highly topical and critically important subject: the 176 economic and social transformations in which the nation is currently immersed. These measures aim to unleash economic potential without losing sight of the social dimension of the changes as a whole.
Accompanied by Manuel Marrero Cruz — a member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba — and Minister of Justice Rosabel Gamón Verde, the Head of State noted that recent months have been very intense. He explained that “we were all working on designing economic and social transformations,” alongside other vital tasks such as activities marking the centenary of Fidel’s birth and other politically significant events for the country.
The leader reflected that a cycle of assessments, proposals, and discussions — guided by the Communist Party during its recent Congresses and supplemented by subsequent analyses — is now drawing to a close. The changes the Island is undertaking, he said, constitute “a necessary process to creatively confront the main obstacle to our country’s economic, social, and human development.”
Díaz-Canel emphasized that “we are in a time of urgency, under conditions of war against Cuba.” He denounced the fact that “a multidimensional war is being waged — a war that is economic, ideological, cultural, and also fought in the realm of communications.”
This is not just any war, he noted, but rather a “fourth-generation war,” involving coercive measures that “escalate with the aim of suffocating the economy, alongside an all-out media war.”
The leader explained that, since the status of these transformations had been analyzed at the most recent Council of Ministers meeting, he wanted to invite the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice to the podcast — for this first episode of the second season of “Desde la Presidencia” (From the Presidency) — to share with the people “the fundamental elements of the analyses that took place within the nation’s principal executive body.”
What has been done, how much progress has been made, and where do we stand now? What answer can we give to those who say this will amount to nothing more than words on paper? The dignitary put these questions to the Prime Minister, who, among other points, referred to the three months that have elapsed since the Economic and Social Transformations were designed and approved.
These transformations — Marrero Cruz stated — represent “the *What*,” a “political decision that we must transform our economy.” He then asked: “What have we been doing these past three months?” He immediately answered: “Writing and designing the *How*” — the methods for implementing the transformations.
It was a time, he said, to “draft those policies and the legal regulations underpinning them, so we could then move to the next stage — actual implementation — and begin to see results.”
It has been arduous work, not without frustrations given that the desired results are not yet visible, noted Marrero Cruz, who later addressed the challenge of striking a balance between the economic and the social spheres. The Head of Government did not overlook attacks from the enemy or doubts raised by friends — many people concerned that these changes might signal a “shift toward capitalism.”
Regarding what has been designed and approved, the Prime Minister affirmed that it is a “fully sovereign decision,” not one driven by external pressures. The Political Bureau member recalled the need for a much deeper process of change; this is how the transformations came about—transformations intended, he emphasized, to strengthen Cuban socialism without neglecting “social balance.”
These transformations — which are significant and far-reaching in economic terms — must reinforce the “necessary social transformations,” the Head of Government stated.
Addressing the speculation and legitimate doubts about whether this would all remain merely on paper, Marrero Cruz stressed that “we have full confidence and certainty” regarding the work being done. Over these three months, he detailed, “160 implementation proposals have been meticulously designed—that is, proposals to carry out 160 transformations—and to provide the necessary legal backing, 197 legal regulations have been drafted and approved.”
The Head of Government stated that the groundwork for developing the “how”—which he had previously explained—is already in place. He emphasized that, in essence, limitations, obstacles, and unnecessary red tape are being eliminated: “The path forward is now open; indeed, progress is being made and results are already visible—even if the improvement in the population’s quality of life is not yet fully perceived—but we are advancing step by step in this process.”
This process — he explained — creates the conditions for the final stage: the actual implementation of the transformations. At this point in his remarks, Marrero Cruz reviewed the decisions taken along the way: first, transforming economic actors — starting with the Socialist State Enterprise, for which 17 transformations have been devised.
Regarding the economic landscape, the Head of Government noted that all actors—both state and non-state—must be taken into account; he pointed out that over 3,600 new MSMEs have been approved in the last three months. Currently in Cuba, he said, there are 16,100 MSMEs, 448 non-state cooperatives (CNEs), and more than 385,000 self-employed workers (TCPs).
“All of this,” he remarked, “adds to the state business fabric; these are economic actors for whom all obstacles and impediments have been removed so they can produce more,” he emphasized.
In everything designed — Marrero Cruz affirmed — “social impacts” have been carefully considered. In this regard, he highlighted decisions such as wage increases in the state-budgeted sector and the identification—with expert support—of individuals in the most vulnerable situations. Regarding the latter, he clarified that there is room to include those who belong to this group but are not yet registered as such. The goal, he stated, is to guarantee social protection for those who need it most.
The Head of Government also spoke about increasing incentives for farming and seamlessly integrating the non-state sector into the economic framework, as these aspirations are part of the necessary transformations. He also acknowledged the population’s understandable dissatisfaction regarding difficulties with the National Electric Power System (SEN), as well as the solutions on the horizon through the shift in the energy matrix. Transformations in transportation; foreign investment; municipal autonomy as a “profound transformation”; the banking and financial system. The Head of Government spoke on these topics, as they represent facets of national life where the Transformations must—and will—take effect.
“We are convinced that this is the right path,” affirmed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba.
How long until results are seen?
Presidente Díaz-Canel raised further questions: How long will it take for results to become visible in the daily lives of Cubans? When will the benefits be seen? Marrero Cruz noted that these are questions many people are asking.
The transformations, he said, should be viewed not merely in quantitative terms, but in qualitative ones. He emphasized this point because everything done so far creates the conditions necessary to see the expected results.
The Head of Government acknowledged that people will notice the impact when there are fewer blackouts, fewer water shortages, a wider range of products, and better prices. He noted that while the context is highly complex, the conditions are nonetheless in place to achieve progress.
“We will not allow,” he stressed, “the transformations to remain merely on paper.”
The Legal Framework
To address the aspect of legal certainty within the context of the transformations, President Díaz-Canel invited Minister Rosabel to share her insights on the work done from a regulatory standpoint.
The minister recalled that, from the very beginning, a legal group was established to ensure the quality and efficiency of the regulatory drafting process. She also referred to a legislative schedule that had preliminarily identified 138 legal provisions to support the implementation of the transformations.
“We can report that during those three months — July, August, and September — 105 of the 138 legal provisions initially identified have already been drafted, reviewed, and approved,” the minister detailed.
“We have 197 legal provisions ready to implement the transformations,” stated Rosabel. She also discussed the reduction in the time required to draft regulations and the decision to publish all norms in the *Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba*, ensuring that all key stakeholders fully understand the content of each measure. The minister reiterated that rigorous work is underway to ensure the effectiveness and significance of the process of establishing the regulatory framework; she also highlighted the important role legal experts must play in guiding a process that must be conducted in strict adherence to the law.
“How do we prevent an institution from attempting to modify any of the regulations?” the Head of State asked. Rosabel affirmed that the process as designed leaves no room for that to happen, nor does it allow for contradictions between lower-level and higher-level regulations.
“The most important aspect here is the follow-up and monitoring process,” the minister emphasized, noting the importance of ensuring that the transformations are carried out in strict compliance with legal regulations.
A people’s resistance
Towards the end of the podcast, President Díaz-Canel stated that “work has been carried out with great responsibility, tenacity, and a strong commitment to ensuring this process moves forward successfully.” He further noted that feedback gathered from the public regarding these Transformations reveals a sense of national resilience and “creative resistance” centered on sovereignty and the resolve to defend the Revolution and socialism.
The leader also addressed the doubts, concerns, and dissatisfaction felt by those questioning the direction of the Transformations. Díaz-Canel Bermúdez also referred to various suggestions that have emerged from the people. “I believe,” he said, “that this is part of the popular debate—the collective discussion that we must all engage in together.”
The public opinion study mentioned by the Head of State provides an opportunity, he noted, to “address these issues with complete transparency” in future programs.
The leader emphasized that building consensus for the implementation of the Transformations is a dynamic, dialectical process to which ideas can be constantly added.
“I believe the continued existence of the Revolution is the best proof that we are on the right track, given that we have been subjected to ruthless attacks, ruthless aggression, and genocidal, criminal practices by the United States administration.”
“The challenge is immense, but we will not stop,” the leader asserted, stressing that “our commitment is to press on and to remain consistent and coherent in implementing the Transformations.”
IMAGE CREDIT: Alina Perera Robbio | Photos: Estudios Revolución
[ SOURCE: Presidency of Cuba ]
