Raúl Castro reappears in public and defends the drastic adjustment plan launched in Cuba

After closing a year with negative economic results and after the announcement of an adjustment program that would increase the price of fuel and modify food subsidies, among other things, the former president and Cuban leader Raúl Castro it came out on Monday an unusual speech defend the measures and direction of the country.

Castro led the event for the 65th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution in the city of Santiago – about 800 kilometers east of Havana -, together with current President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero.

“I know that I express the feelings of the historic generation by ratifying the trust in those who today hold leadership responsibilities in our (communist) party and government,” said Castro, 92, who now rarely speaks in public. “The Cuban revolution, after 65 years, far from weakening, is strengthening,” he said.

During the speech, broadcast live on radio and television, Castro insisted on the socialist and humanist direction of the trial.

In the last week of 2023, during the Parliament session, Prime Minister Marrero went wild a strong controversy among citizens by announcing a plan that plans to eliminate the “distortions” of the economy through increases in the price of fuel – or their billing in dollars -, electricity and transport, or with changes in the fueling book that everyone Cubans receive to buy their food and other basic necessities.

While No details were given about the measures or when they will be implemented.the reaction of the citizens was that of long queues at petrol stations – which had already diminished in recent weeks – and comments of all kinds on social networks.

Inflation, sanctions and deep crisis

Cuba has been facing a strong economic crisis since 2020 due to the consequences of the pandemic lockdown, a set of macroeconomic decisions taken by the government in 2021 that have triggered an inflationary process and a radical increase in US sanctions to pressure a change in the political model on the island.

“The United States government’s policy of permanent hostility and blockade is the root cause of the difficulties of our economy, have no doubt about this reality, even if the enemy invests millions of dollars and makes many efforts to hide it,” Castro said during his speech.

Others «let themselves be confused by their lies and in a certain way play into the hands of (Washington and the anti-Castro groups), unconsciously overwhelmed by daily difficulties; we cannot lose patience with the latter, we must listen to them, explain to them until we convince them with the powerful weapon of truth that is on our side”, added the Cuban leader.

The authorities reported this during the parliamentary sessions 2023 would close with a contraction of up to 2% in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)Annual inflation would be 30% and the indicators of almost all sectors would be decreasing, from strategic tourism to food and industry.

In 2023, the crisis has been noted by lack of food supply, intermittent power outages, gasoline lines, and even a notable emigration of Cubans, some using the dangerous route through Central America.

Exodus to the United States

US border authorities reported that during the fiscal years (accounting from October to September) of 2021, 2022 and 2023, and up until last December, they had registered contacts with 500,000 Cubans trying to enter the North American country, mainly at border with Mexico.

In January 2023, US President Joe Biden approved a conditional permitting mechanism to contain the flow, which saw a decline in the following months, but towards the end of the year the numbers increased again.

In October there were 18,000 and in November 20,000 Cubans intercepted at the border.

Additionally, thousands of people have applied for asylum or residency in Mexico or have emigrated to European countries, especially Spain, and many more have been intercepted by the US Coast Guard while trying to cross the Strait of Florida.

Source: AP