Havana – Cuba’s Council of State convened Thursday to evaluate the government’s Economic and Social Program for 2026, a plan developed against a backdrop of economic challenges, including a tightening U.S. Embargo and ongoing fuel shortages. The session, held at the National Capitol building, was led by Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the Council, and included the participation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. The program’s development reflects a concerted effort to address pressing economic concerns and chart a course for sustainable growth, even as external pressures mount.
The evaluation builds on work initiated during the Council’s February meeting, focusing on finalizing updates to the program, refining strategies to mitigate acute fuel shortages, and integrating components of the approved 2026 national economy and budget plan. According to Prime Minister Marrero Cruz, the program has been significantly enriched through a public consultation process, now encompassing ten general objectives, 111 specific objectives, 505 actions, and 309 indicators and goals aligned with national priorities. This emphasis on public input underscores the government’s commitment to a collaborative approach to economic planning.
Focus on Territorial Development
A key component of the 2026 program centers on bolstering economic and social development at the municipal and provincial levels. Nancy Acosta Hernández, head of the Directorate of Attention to Local Administrations of the People’s Power in the Council of Ministers, presented an update on the implementation of Objective No. 5: “Advancing the improvement of strategic management for territorial development.” This initiative aims to leverage local potential to meet the needs of communities across the island. The focus on territorial development reflects a broader strategy to decentralize economic decision-making and empower local actors.
Acosta Hernández emphasized the need to establish a network of actors capable of driving transformation, harnessing scientific innovation, and fostering broad public participation. Supporting this effort are recently approved regulatory measures, including Decree 140 concerning the decentralization of competencies and resource transfer to territories, published in December 2025, and Decree 148, a modification to the Decree on Strategic Management of Territorial Development, released in 2026. These decrees aim to provide local authorities with greater autonomy and resources to address regional challenges.
“Mi Barrio por La Patria” and Community Engagement
The Council of State also approved guidelines for the development of “Mi Barrio por La Patria” (My Neighborhood for the Homeland), a popular-participatory movement designed to promote community-level action. According to Ana María Mari Machado, Vice President of the Parliament, the initiative will engage political, mass, and social organizations, local administrations, and residents in three key areas: neighborhood security, participatory initiatives, and productive activities. The movement is intended to complement the broader Economic and Social Program by fostering grassroots engagement and ownership of development goals.
Esteban Lazo Hernández underscored the importance of this movement, particularly given the current economic climate. He highlighted its potential to unite communities in implementing the 2026 program with “unity, creativity, and enthusiasm” at the local level. The initiative is also framed within the context of significant national anniversaries: the centennial of Fidel Castro’s birth and the 50th anniversary of the Cuban system of People’s Power.
Institutional Updates and International Solidarity
In addition to economic planning and community engagement, the Council of State approved a name change for the Higher Institute of International Relations, now officially the Raúl Roa García University of International Relations (ISRI). The decision, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, reflects transformations within Cuba’s higher education system and the institution’s growing academic stature. Minister of Higher Education Walter Baluja and ISRI Rector Rogelio Sierra presented the proposal, citing the institution’s commitment to training highly qualified professionals for the demands of international affairs.
The Council also reviewed the performance of municipal organs of People’s Power in complying with Law No. 132 regarding the organization and functioning of Municipal Assemblies and Popular Councils. An analysis was conducted on the fulfillment of Agreement No. X-23 of the National Assembly of People’s Power, concerning the relationship between deputies and voters at the local level.
Finally, the Council of State formally expressed gratitude to the participants in the “Nuestra América, Convoy to Cuba” initiative – a group of parliamentarians and Eurodeputies – for their support and solidarity with Cuba. The Council also acknowledged the pronouncements of international legislative bodies against the U.S. Embargo, recognizing these actions as vital expressions of international support. The ongoing U.S. Embargo remains a central challenge to Cuba’s economic development, as highlighted by the Council’s discussions. The United States first imposed the embargo in 1960, and it has been strengthened over the decades, impacting trade, investment, and financial transactions. Recent U.S. Policy shifts have continued to shape the dynamics of the embargo.
Looking ahead, the Council of State will continue to monitor the implementation of the 2026 Economic and Social Program, with a particular focus on the progress of the “Mi Barrio por La Patria” movement and the impact of the new regulatory measures aimed at decentralizing economic management. Further updates on these initiatives are expected in the coming months.
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