Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has called for urgent changes to the country's economic model, acknowledging the deepening crisis exacerbated by the US oil blockade. In a speech to Communist party leaders, he cited China and Vietnam as potential models for opening up the economy.
Díaz-Canel told the politburo that the situation demands “urgent and necessary changes,” marking his frankest admission yet of the need to overhaul Cuba's communist system. He emphasised that some changes “will not have absolute consensus but cannot be postponed.”
The president highlighted internal obstacles, including “slowness, bureaucracy and norms that impede those who want to produce,” as well as “decisions that we have put off.” This comes as Cuba faces severe power cuts, food and fuel shortages, and a lack of medicine.
The proposed changes have received backing from former President Raul Castro, who described them as “the most beneficial to the revolution at this time.” The measures aim to boost the private sector and are seen as a desperate bid to stave off economic collapse.
