Finance Minister Details Budget's Focus on Universal Access and Social Protection
The Cuban State budget maintains and reaffirms its profoundly social and humanistic character by guaranteeing universal and free access to essential services such as education, public healthcare, social security, and social assistance.

This was affirmed this Monday by the Minister of Finance and Prices, Vladimir Regueiro Ale, during his intervention on the television program Mesa Redonda on the Caribbean island's broadcast.

Regueiro explained in the popular TV segment the actions the Antillean nation is adopting to face the current situation, especially regarding budget control, income management, worker participation in decision-making, the necessary control of retail and wholesale prices, among other topics.

Budget as Expression of Revolutionary Social Gains
The Minister emphasized that the budget constitutes a concrete expression of the social achievements of the Revolution and a direct support for the rights of the island's population.

He pointed out that the budget supports the enjoyment of fundamental rights, guaranteeing universal and free access to education and health, as well as the protection of social security and social assistance directed at the most vulnerable sectors.

He specified that special care programs required by certain population groups and the development programs for culture and sports have budgetary support—areas the country does not renounce despite current economic conditions.

Focus on Rationality, Savings, and Agricultural Development
The minister noted that maintaining the vitality of the social sector requires a permanent review of the rationality of spending, savings, and the postponement of those disbursements that are not essential at the present time.

He also highlighted the role of the fund for agricultural development, which producers can access to increase food production, strengthen local productive autonomy, and advance food sufficiency from each territory.

Commitment to Pensions and Support for Production
He equally underscored the budget's commitment to the partial increase in pensions, which in 2026 will represent over 20 billion pesos—resources foreseen in the State budget.

Regarding budgetary support for production, Regueiro confirmed the continuity of tax benefits and fiscal waivers aimed at stimulating productive activities, including support for importing raw materials, inputs, and goods that favor productive linkages.

Renewable Energy and Local Government Projects
He referred to the push given by local governments to renewable energy projects, with participation from the non-state sector and tax benefits that include exemption from tax payments until the investment is recovered. This contributes to energy autonomy and the sustainability of services like health, education, and social care in nursing homes and senior centers.

He explained that the organization of this year's budgetary expenditure supports the decision announced by President Miguel Díaz-Canel to prioritize the use of renewable energy in social services, combining direct resource allocations with fiscal incentives.

Resilience Amid Economic Restrictions
The minister reiterated that, despite economic restrictions and their impact on the national economy, the State budget supports the main actions to protect and maintain the essence of the Cuban social project.