Despite being subjected to a ferocious blockade, Cuba not only resists but also seeks alternatives, focused on preserving the Revolution and the main conquests of socialism. This was affirmed at the start of the Extraordinary Plenary Session of the Communist Party of Cuba's Central Committee, held Wednesday afternoon, by Roberto Morales Ojeda, Organization Secretary of that body.

After recalling the 121st anniversary of the death of General Máximo Gómez, reaffirming commitment to him and the heroes and martyrs of the Homeland, and referencing other motivations such as Fidel's centenary and the 73rd anniversary of the assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks, Morales Ojeda underscored the Party's renovating spirit and principles, its willingness to debate and to necessary change. He also reiterated the ideas recently expressed to the press by the First Secretary of the Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez —who presided over the session— regarding the proposed economic and social transformations: unity and broad discussion are essential, from which a better idea can always emerge.

Consensus and Popular Participation

Division General José Amado Ricardo Guerra, a member of the Political Bureau, conveyed a message from Raúl Castro, who attended the session via videoconference. The Army General assured that he had been consulted and fully agreed with the proposed transformations.

"I am convinced that from collective analysis and even from disagreements, the best ideas always emerge," the message stated, and he called for opinions to enrich the content, build the necessary consensus at a transcendental moment, and undertake the transformations: "this is what best serves the Revolution today." The Leader warned that equally or more important than the document's approval will be its adequate and timely implementation, with well-defined priorities and the conscious participation of the people. This requires acting with "feet and ears to the ground," taking very much into account the opinions and concerns of the population.

Transforming Ourselves with Our Own Efforts and Resources

The Central Committee members and guests —including Rebel Army Commander José Ramón Machado Ventura— received a detailed explanation of the current hour, when Cuba is experiencing the most serious multidimensional crisis since the Special Period, due to the intensification of the blockade starting in 2019, aggravated by the Executive Orders of the current U.S. administration.

This is the most aggressive sanctions escalation in recent history. It has prevented oil tankers from reaching Cuba, threatened companies with business on the island, forcing their withdrawal, and caused the country's disconnection from international credit and financing systems. As a result, the Island has experienced a sharp contraction of its economy in the first half of 2026, with an average daily electrical outage of 20 hours and a deficit of 1,955 MW.

In this regard, Political Bureau member and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz explained that, faced with the harsh reality of the current historical moment, deep transformations must be carried out with our own efforts and resources. "It is about not only resisting, but also advancing and developing," he said.

Regarding the proposals —which will be presented Thursday to National Assembly deputies and made known to the entire population— he illustrated that they have been nourished by the guidance of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and First Secretary Díaz-Canel, analysis of programmatic documents, and consultation with experts. There are 176 proposals, divided into 23 fundamental axes of the country's economic and social life.

These axes correspond to transformations concerning: the management model of economic actors; property relations; the economic planning system; the budgeted sector and its downsizing; municipal autonomy; agricultural recovery; shifting from product subsidies to person subsidies; labor and wage issues; and energy and social policies. They are also related to the modernization of the banking and financial system; the tax system; pricing policy; foreign investment; foreign trade; the scope of partial dollarization of the economy; the tourism sector; transportation; commerce, gastronomy, and services; insurance policy; digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the knowledge economy; the national statistical system; and control and inspection mechanisms.

According to what transpired, the legal framework for these proposals will be essential; it was explained that they do not contradict the Constitution of the Republic, but they do require repealing and modifying norms, as well as creating new ones.

These measures, Marrero noted, conceive deep changes in correspondence with the 2026 Government Economic and Social Program: both documents are complementary. They also imply the transformation of the business fabric, greater openness to private capital, and the recognition of market mechanisms as instruments for efficient resource allocation. It was also affirmed that they do not imply renouncing the State's social responsibility. As the discussed document states: "They do not constitute a deviation from the socialist project; on the contrary, they respond to the logic of its own development. Cuba is in the historical period of building socialism." Likewise, the ideas of Fidel and Raúl were insisted upon as the source for this process.