Call to the 9th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba

At the 10th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba held on July 4-5 the following call for the holding 9th Congress of the party was issued (translated from the Spanish).

Dear compatriots:

On October 3rd, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the historic day when the United Party of the Socialist Revolution adopted the name of the Communist Party of Cuba; the launch of its first Central Committee, headed by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz; and the publication of Che's moving Farewell Letter.

Heir to the solid pillars of the patriotic program of the Cuban Revolutionary Party forged by José Martí, of the struggles for the rights of the working class and of the anti-imperialist cause of the first Communist Party of Cuba, founded almost a century ago by Carlos Baliño and Julio Antonio Mella, our Party was born from the battles waged by the people until achieving victory in January 1959 and from the revolutionary organizations that, in a remarkable and unparalleled display of political maturity, came together in their endeavor to secure complete independence and establish a just society.

With these historical motivations, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba calls for its 9th Congress to be held in 2026, the year in which we will commemorate the centennial of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, whose legacy guides the work of the Party.

This will be an ideal environment to further refine the strategy of resistance and development during a multidimensional global crisis, where fascist and far-right ideologies are re-emerging, posing constant threats to peace. This occurs in one of the most complex and challenging periods in our national history, characterized by the persistent hostility of the US administration, the intensification of the genocidal economic, commercial, and financial blockade, and Cuba's placement on the spurious list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism, which deeply impacts the economy and the daily lives of Cubans.

At the previous Congress, held during our efforts to tackle the pandemic and protect lives by developing vaccines with our own resources and reserves, we introduced a development project that we continue to pursue. Although it hasn't been completely achieved, the very act of resisting is a triumph for the Cuban people.

Therefore, the 9th Congress will continue to focus its attention on finding appropriate solutions to the economic situation we face, based on the actions outlined in the Government Program to correct distortions and boost the economy.

The following are essential priorities: increasing national production with an emphasis on food; ways to increase foreign currency earnings; restoring the National Electricity System; strengthening socialist state enterprises; achieving macroeconomic stability; maintaining a healthy relationship between the state and non-state sectors; reducing inflation; promoting the participation of foreign investment; and promoting efficiency and savings.

We will also persist in advancing the management of science and innovation, social communication, and digital transformation to foster societal development. Our society is dedicated to enhancing socialist and participatory democracy to achieve the utmost justice possible.

The Communist Party of Cuba, a follower of Martí, Fidelista, and Marxist-Leninist ideology, as the guiding political force of society, has the responsibility of leading the people, encouraging them to produce, innovate, and achieve outcomes that will swiftly enhance the population's living conditions. This involves providing strong backing for the social progress attained by the Revolution, addressing our own mistakes and weaknesses, and narrowing the social divide that has inevitably arisen, intensified by the aggressive imperialist policies in recent years.

Strengthening unity, perfecting ideological work, politically supporting the Government Program, and correcting the deviations and negative tendencies present in Cuban society are priorities in the work of the Communist Party of Cuba, the results of which we will also evaluate at the 9th Congress.

None of the above can be achieved solely through the efforts of those of us who serve within the Party. The participation of all Cubans is essential. In addition to contributing with their work, they must exercise daily and effective popular control in the defense of the Revolution's achievements.

In this context, the ideological, educational, and cultural battles take on extraordinary relevance. The Congress process will be an ideal opportunity to debate the Party's role in strengthening revolutionary values, knowledge of the nation's history, culture, and identity.

Additionally, to explore political, media, and community communication, which are crucial tools for Party and government management, serving as a defense against disinformation campaigns, manipulation, and lies orchestrated by the dominant media, as well as subversive schemes aimed at undermining socialism.

We reaffirm, with conviction, that the defense of the Homeland and national security are strategic principles and guarantees of the nation's existence.

The Party's utmost attention is required to prevent and resolutely confront social indiscipline, crime, corruption, and illegality. Without a frontal attack on these harmful manifestations, it would be impossible to triumph in the economic battle, in preserving the morality and values ​​that have characterized the Cuban people.

To successfully tackle the significant challenges Cuba faces today, the Party needs to be more robust, reinforced from the grassroots to the top leadership levels, with a model and proactive membership, and better-prepared cadres possessing analytical skills and a readiness to address and resolve issues.

The permanent connection with the people, exemplified by the Party leadership's regular visits to various regions, serves as an effective working method across all levels.

It is essential to increase the active participation of all youth, with the Young Communist League, student organizations, and youth movements playing a leading role in the nation's main political and socioeconomic activities, as well as in mass and social organizations.

With unity as our foundational principle, we will focus the Congressional debates on continuing and advancing the nation's socialist transformation, confidently committed to building a more just and democratic society with increased rights for everyone.

We should recall Army General Raúl Castro Ruz's appeal for unity and genuine dialogue at the start of the last party meeting.

The unity of the vast majority of Cubans around the Party and the work and ideals of the Revolution has been our fundamental strategic weapon for successfully confronting all types of threats and aggression. Therefore, this unity must be zealously safeguarded.

If we have a single Party, it is essential to encourage the widest democracy and a continuous, honest, and deep exchange of differing opinions within its operations and throughout our society. This approach should strengthen connections with the working class and the general populace, while also ensuring increased citizen involvement in key decisions.

The 9th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, scheduled for April 16 to 19, 2026, will involve the participation of all the people. In preparation for the event, we will engage in an extensive consultation process regarding the documents to be presented. This will involve members of the Party, the Union of Young Communists, political and administrative leadership bodies, as well as mass, social, and student organizations.

It will be a worthy tribute to the history of struggle, to the ethics and spirit of independence bequeathed to us by Céspedes, Gómez, Maceo, and Martí; to the anti-imperialist thinking of Baliño, Mella, Villena, and Guiteras; to the generous dedication of Abel, Frank, Celia, Vilma, Camilo, Che, and Almeida; to the Centennial Generation and, especially, to Fidel and Raúl, leaders of the Revolution, the Party, and the people.

A few days before we commemorate the remarkable deeds of the young individuals who, 72 years ago, boldly made history at the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks, with many sacrificing their lives so that their noble blood could lay the final path to freedom, we reaffirm our deep belief in the triumph of our people, who have courageously faced the greatest challenges and obstacles with heroism, solidarity, and selflessness.

Homeland or Death, We Will Win!

Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba

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