Political Bureau reports at the 10th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba

By Yaima Puig Meneses, translated from the Spanish. Photos via Revolution Studios

In the face of an increasingly difficult situation for the nation, where the current U.S. administration's hostility has escalated, Cuba persists in creating avenues to surmount the challenges it encounters.

In line with that objective, during the agenda of the initial working session of the 10th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba —led by its First Secretary, the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez— the Central Committee members assessed the Accountability Report of the Political Bureau this Friday, which outlines the key actions undertaken in the recent period.

Upon reviewing the document, Political Bureau member and Organization Secretary Roberto Morales Ojeda outlined the features defining the current international context. He explained how the U.S. government's policy toward the island is influenced by a Cuban-born mafia group that "has openly stated its goal to target and eliminate the limited sources of funding and foreign currency to further intensify the people's hardships."

In addition, there is the "intense fourth-generation warfare," which typically seeks to "disrupt the unity of the Cuban people, the most strategic asset that has supported us throughout the years."

He characterized the economic recovery—significantly hindered by this harsh imperial blockade—as incomplete. Although "certain macroeconomic indicators display modest signs of recovery and suggest that we can progress through our own efforts, the truth is they fall short of expectations and are not evident in the daily lives of people, who are experiencing the direct impact of high prices and shortages of essential goods."

In this context, the complex energy situation was also highlighted, as it affects not only the population but also the country's economic recovery.

As explained, the Party's efforts during this time have concentrated on counteracting the nation's challenges. This involves maintaining "ongoing engagement with the people to inform, engage in dialogue, and aid in understanding and seeking solutions to the identified issues."

Referring to the first round of visits to all the country's municipalities, it was noted that this exercise allowed for exchanges with more than 280,000 people in 4,508 workplaces and 747 community councils.

To assess the attention given to and the implementation of the reports and recommendations, a second cycle is underway. This cycle has revealed that some provinces and municipalities have not adopted this method, leading to work systems that lack transformative impact.

The report also mentions organizing meetings with different societal sectors, engaging with researchers, scientists, and specialists from various disciplines, and interacting with young people in locations where significant historical events took place.

Among the main topics analyzed by the Political Bureau during the first half of the year, the document addresses the evaluation of the Government Program for the Stabilization of the National Electricity System (SEN) and the projections for 2025, particularly for the months of July and August.

The results achieved so far in restoring power and increasing electricity production capacity have not yet had the expected impact in terms of reducing disruptions, primarily due to the lack of fuel and increased demand.

Similarly, during the analysis period, the outcomes of the presentation and analysis of the Economic Plan and the State Budget for 2025 to workers were evaluated, along with actions related to price controls, fiscal oversight, and banking integration. It was acknowledged that both matters have a direct effect on the country's macroeconomic stabilization program.

Alongside implementing the agreement from the 9th Plenary Session of the Central Committee concerning both state and non-state economic participants, the first half of the year reviewed adherence to measures aimed at preserving the sugar industry and assessed the progress of the ongoing harvest, despite challenging conditions. Additionally, it evaluated the outcomes of the process for allocating unused land for use and livestock, as well as the oversight of the rice program.

In the particular instance of implementing the ETECSA measure concerning restrictions on monthly top-ups in national currency, a political evaluation was carried out to examine the reasons behind the widespread public dissatisfaction.

Another issue assessed was the execution of measures to prevent and combat corruption, crime, illegal activities, and social indiscipline throughout 2024. This involved conducting systematic analyses within Party core groups, leadership councils, and grassroots organizations.

Similarly, the progress of measures to enhance the Family Doctor and Nurse Program was reviewed; and both the Plan to Address Deviations and Negative Trends in Contemporary Cuban Society and the Political Communication Strategy were approved. Concurrently, proposals for refining comprehensive social policy and plans to improve the quality of the general education teaching process were assessed.

The report also details actions carried out internationally during the first half of the year, including, among others, the participation of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in the IX CELAC Summit, the commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, and the Supreme Council of the Eurasian Economic Union.

As part of the interventions raised on this point, Central Committee member Julio César García Rodríguez acknowledged that, while progress has been made in preventing and combating corruption, crime, illegality, and social indiscipline, an evaluation of the actions taken shows that the results remain inadequate.

Regarding the discussion of these issues within the Party, he noted that they have been more prominent in the debates. However, the quality of these debates does not always align with the priority assigned to these matters.

He highlighted the importance of prevention in tackling these events, which necessitate action at every level.

Regarding the fight against drugs, he believed that there is complete political and state determination to address the issue. He mentioned that the recent rise in numbers is also a result of enhanced detection of this problem in the country, based on the information gathered.

He emphasized that we possess the resolve and determination to address illegal activities of any kind, and we hold no obligation to those who harm state property.

He stated that most people back the measures being implemented, and the biggest achievement is that, even amid the country's challenging situation, order and legality have been preserved.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC