Reviving Cuba The oil blockade imposed by Trump in January has brought Cuba’s already moribund economy to the brink of collapse, marked by power cuts sometimes lasting over 30 hours and shortages of food, fuel, drinking water and medicine. “I welcome any change that helps revive the dying patient,” the owner of a small private supermarket in Havana, who declined to be identified, told AFP in a not-so-cryptic reference to Cuba’s economy. The government, which is in negotiations with Washington, has teased new investment opportunities
for Cubans living on the island and abroad in a broad range of sectors. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero was quoted by the government on X as assuring that the the reforms “in no way imply relinquishing the social responsibility of the state.” Private businesses, which can employ up to 100 people, were authorized in 2021 and have become an increasingly important part of the island’s economy. Diaz-Canel said Cubans will be granted the same conditions as foreign investors, some of whom recently pulled out of
Cuba over US sanctions. He has also announced plans to cut back the state by reducing the number of ministries and public servants. Some of the reforms announced were a rehash of earlier proposals, such as granting greater autonomy to state-owned enterprises, which account for roughly 80 percent of economic activity. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Raul Castro, Cuba reforms, economy, power cuts, shortages, oil blockade, Trump, negotiations with Washington, private businesses, Manuel Marrero, Díaz-Canel, state-owned enterprises