In the tenth ordinary session of the National Assembly of Popular Power (ANPP) in its ninth legislature, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel gave an account of his management in 2022, "an extremely complicated year on the international stage."
He stressed that he assumes this mechanism responsibly and with the conviction of its importance for strengthening the institutional framework.
Accountability, at all levels, is a mechanism that we must perfect, systematize and develop rigorously before the people, with transparency and as a way to improve ourselves and improve management work in search of results with a greater impact on society, he said at the Havana Convention Center.
"I accept this responsibility with commitment and dedication," he said, adding that he does so by protecting unity and assuming continuity from a dialectical perspective, in defense of the Revolution and its course on the path of socialist construction.
The president gave an account referring to the context in which Cuba has lived and its foreign policy, and valued the situations through which the country has gone through and for which, he said, he feels the main responsibility.
Díaz-Canel mentioned the challenges and adversities that have prevented us from moving forward as we proposed. "I hope no one receives them as justification."
The one that ends "has been a markedly complicated year on the international scene, which follows two years that are also extremely complicated," he said.
We are convinced of the importance of integration
“The military conflict in Europe has generated new problems and aggravated many of the existing ones in a world punished by growing inequalities, with the absence of a real commitment to face threats against the environment, due to the socioeconomic and health effects of the covid-19 pandemic and its consequences for the prices of food and medicines, transportation, logistics and the essential requirements of developing countries," the president said.
He insisted that "it is a scenario threatened, moreover, by the harmful imperialist effort to try to divide the world and generate exclusions and stigmatization", to which is added "the tendency to abuse the disproportionate economic and financial power of the United States to apply the economic coercion as the preferred instrument of foreign policy”.
In the year that is ending, we made progress in relations with our region, where "the changes experienced made it possible for political forces committed to projects aimed at social justice and the defense of sovereignty to come to the Government."
He ratified that "we are convinced of the importance of integration and the defense of a region of united and supportive peace."
He also pointed out that the region continues to be marked by alarming levels of poverty, unemployment, inequality and exclusion, which "in the long run favor the rise of extreme right-wing and fascist political forces, which try to stop the progress of progressive movements committed to the interests and needs of the majority.
Referring to the last Summit of the Americas, he stated that "the continental and exclusive event that depends on the United States in the city of Los Angeles ended up being a political failure and a demonstration of the isolation suffered by the imperialist policy of that country in the region" that José Martí called Our America”.
"It was a hard blow to the OAS and its current institutional leadership, whose discredit has no comparison," he stressed, and reiterated his recognition to the countries that rejected Cuba's exclusion from that event. "They denounced it and also condemned the intensified blockade policy."
It has been a year of important events in the exercise of Cuban foreign policy
Díaz-Canel recalled that it has been a year of important events in the exercise of Cuban foreign policy, "which has demanded perseverance, thought and rigorous action attached to the principles and traditions of the foreign policy of the Revolution."
He stressed that the close political coordination and cooperation with the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was maintained, and he reiterated his gratitude to that country for its support in confronting the natural disasters and accidents that Cuba suffered this year.
Likewise, Cuba consolidated relations with Mexico, which was ratified with the visit of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whom he also thanked for his solidarity in the face of the events that the island experienced.
The Cuban president reiterated solidarity with the Plurinational State of Bolivia and its president, Luis Arce, in the face of destabilization attempts promoted and orchestrated by right-wing forces, while greeting Commander Daniel Ortega Saavedra and the people of Nicaragua.
He commented that areas of cooperation, of mutual benefit, with Argentina were identified, they contributed to the resumption of peace efforts in Colombia and the willingness to continue as guarantors of the dialogue table was maintained.
The blockade remains the fundamental obstacle to the performance of our economy
In the case of the United States, the fundamental and defining characteristic of the bilateral relationship continues to be the economic blockade, "as a cruel, illegitimate, and immoral weapon of coercion" that "constitutes the fundamental obstacle to the performance of our economy."
Díaz-Canel denounced that the open policy of subsidies and the attempts to destabilize the country promoted by the United States are evident. “With the support of tens of millions of dollars from the federal budget, along with tolerance towards those who from The United States guides, finances, and even trains individuals to commit violent acts against Cuba."
He recalled that all these situations have been denounced directly through diplomatic channels and publicly, and pointed out that, a few days ago, the US Government showed the dishonest conduct of its foreign policy, by designating Cuba as a country in which religiosity is supposedly persecuted.
"This is one more falsehood from a government that finds no justification to comply with the most comprehensive system of coercive economic measures applied against a State," he said, and stated that, nonetheless, "very discreet steps have been taken, aimed at guide bilateral cooperation for compliance with migration agreements and also in other areas of priority between both countries”.
When the fire occurred at the Matanzas supertanker base, the US government offered technical advice, recalled the president, adding that this initiative was appreciated and accepted.
We also accept, he said, the offer of some 100 firefighter suits with the corresponding protective equipment, which arrived in the country last week and are being distributed among the fire brigades.
Similarly, the US government offered material aid, valued at two million dollars, due to the hurricane that affected Pinar del Río last September. "As in the case of Matanzas, it was offered without conditions, for which we also thanked and accepted it."
"Our objective continues to be to promote broader ties with that country and its people, which already includes close to two million people of Cuban origin or their descendants," the president said.
He stressed that the Government of Cuba is willing to build a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship, fully adhering to international law and the sovereign prerogatives of each country. "This is known to the United States Government and we have expressed it directly and publicly."
Caricom countries consolidate
In his speech before the plenary session of Parliament, Díaz-Canel affirmed that the ties with the Caricom countries are consolidated, when the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago is completed, at times of greater isolation promoted by imperialism against Cuba.
He commented that during the recent tour of Caribbean nations, he reaffirmed the validity of the legacy of the Commander-in-Chief, continued by the Army General, in relations with the region, "based on brotherhood, cooperation, and respect," and he highlighted the common will to advance in integration and development plans.
"The Caribbean Community ratified its support for the claim for the lifting of the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, as well as the removal of the country from the spurious list of State sponsors of terrorism," he said.
He reiterated solidarity with the brotherly Puerto Rican people and their right to self-determination. “We are encouraged by the political processes that are beginning in Brazil, Colombia and Honduras. Our region demanded independence and social justice”.
Ties with Algeria, Russia, Turkey and China are strengthened
The Cuban president also referred to the recent visits to Algeria, Russia, Turkey and China, which responded to invitations from their governments and the interest in promoting and consolidating ties with those countries, both political, economic and commercial.
He described the results at the United Nations General Assembly as transcendental, where the international community once again spoke out this year almost unanimously against the economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States, describing this policy as cruel or unfair.
“We are very aware of the polarized nature and agenda of US politics, which may help the economic blockade continue for many more years.”
“That is why it is a top priority to combine popular efforts and creativity in order to solve the most acute problems we face, the limitations, and guide the course of development.”
“We also take responsibility to speak out against this cruel and inhumane policy at every opportunity and in every setting.”
The next legislature will also have to face a high level of legislative work
Díaz-Canel referred to the extensive legislative exercise that has been favored so that, in the shortest possible time, the laws that develop the Constitution are promulgated.
He highlighted the approval of the new Family Code after a broad popular consultation and a referendum, an exercise that was further evidence of the democratic nature of the Cuban socialist system and the broad social consensus around very complex and diverse issues.
Another of the moments highlighted by the president were the recent elections of delegates to the Municipal Assemblies of People's Power, and the approval in this session of Parliament of four laws with a determining role in the economic and social sphere of the nation.
The next legislature of the ANPP will also have to "face a high level of legislative work and form, from the beginning, a new schedule that responds to our regulatory demand."
In his opinion, these sessions of the Assembly have been intense in addressing the problems of the difficult Cuban daily life.
The Cuban economy is going through a complex situation
The Cuban president pointed out that the national economy is going through a complex situation, due to the combined effect of the tightening of the blockade, the pandemic and international inflation, among other adverse factors.
Facing 2023, he stated that it is important to innovate and break the siege, and pointed out that the economy plan defines objectives that are of vital importance to face all the problems already diagnosed in the national economy, as well as to continue advancing in the creation of capacities and institutional environments that allow progress to be made more effectively and quickly.
"The measures approved for this purpose should create the conditions to move forward more dynamically if they are implemented quickly, without stopping, always identifying the risks to minimize their impacts."
He pointed out that in recent years there have been significant macroeconomic imbalances, as a result of the loss of foreign currency income, the high fiscal deficits, the increase in the income of natural persons without productive support, the partial dollarization of the economy and the little response production to generate the supply of goods and services, among other causes.
These imbalances are mainly expressed in the levels of inflation, shortage of supply, depreciation and inconvertibility of the national currency, "phenomena that have produced a substantial deterioration in the purchasing power of the income of workers and pensioners and in the living conditions of the population."
Improving the well-being of the people requires reactivating national productive capacities and capturing a level of foreign currency that guarantees a gradual but sustained increase in the offers of goods and services, the Cuban president said before the deputies.
The economy plan for 2023 includes the implementation of a macroeconomic stabilization program that entails an essential transformation in macroeconomic management and coordination between the plan, the State budget, and monetary programming.
Díaz-Canel clarified that a program of this type does not promote economic growth by itself, but it does lay the foundations for the rest of the sectorial policies, such as productive transformation or local development, to be effective and meet their objectives.
He recalled the explanations offered by the Minister of Economy and Planning on the plan and the State budget for 2023. "Although it sheds light to achieve these goals, you must work hard, innovate, apply the circular economy, export and increase the competitiveness of productions.”
On the other hand, "it is necessary to continue implementing measures that guarantee that the state company truly exercises its role as the main economic subject of the economic and social development model."
He stressed that it is essential to achieve the exports projected in the plan to support imports in order to ensure the production levels that are planned and that are the fundamental source of growth.
"Attention to communities and people in situations of vulnerability, the definitive transition from the subsidy to products to the subsidy to people to begin the true social transformation, applying a non-assistance approach, is part of the necessary improvement of society and must prioritize the next year," he said.
2023 should be a better year, the Cuban president affirmed, noting that to achieve this, more than a comprehensive plan is required. "It requires shaking off inertia, banishing bureaucratism, removing more obstacles and overcoming complacency."
“I trust the collective leadership. I have acted and will act as a faithful defender of what was agreed in the 8th. Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba”.
Díaz-Canel affirmed that in his capacity as President of the Republic, as a public servant, he has ensured respect for the Constitution, compliance with socialist legality and maintaining a permanent link with the people.
From each adversity a lesson is learned
In his speech, the Cuban president said he was convinced of the popular nature of the Cuban political system and insisted on the need to promote the improvement of the People's Power system, fostering more democracy and participation.
"Socialism requires active citizenship and popular involvement in all spheres," he said, adding that on each visit to the territories, in meetings with different sectors of society and in the daily work of the presidency, he listens the people and govern accordingly.
He reiterated that popular participation is the essence of democracy and without it, socialism is not possible. "We must give priority to the different forms of popular control without implying going to the detriment of administrative control."
He argued that, by virtue of these convictions, the development of various programs aimed at finding solutions to the most pressing economic and social problems that affect the Cuban reality has been fostered, including the Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Education Program, the strategy to achieve the stability of the national electrical energy system, the confrontation with the plans of political-ideological subversion, the development and the strategy to control the Covid-19 pandemic and social programs to reduce inequalities and situations of vulnerability.
“Facing adversity after adversity, in parallel with the lockdown and a pandemic that paralyzed us for two years, has not been a reason for discouragement. From every adversity you get a learning. I already said it once, "confidence in victory when you have a huge history pushing your steps and a heroic people giving and demanding more," he reaffirmed.
He said he felt “enormous dissatisfaction for not having been able to achieve, from the leadership of the country, the results that the Cuban people need to achieve the desired and expected prosperity.
“But I believe in collective leadership. I have ensured respect for the Constitution and to maintain a permanent link with the people of which I am a part. I have insisted on perfecting the popular power system. Socialism needs active participation. You have to listen to the people and govern accordingly.
The president stressed the importance of the social sciences to face the country's challenges and insisted on continuing to strengthen strategies to confront the enemy's political and ideological subversion plans.
“It is essential to sweep away the bureaucratization that has been installed in many spaces, spheres and dimensions of the Government”, that “we cannot continue consenting to”.
He reaffirmed that the State promotes a system that guarantees the rights and human dignity that sustain them, “despite the permanent efforts of Cuba's enemies to establish a mythology of lies and defamation on the subject.
"I refuse to accept the demonization of socialism, particularly on the issue of human rights, because socialism is, by essence, a system aimed at achieving the greatest possible social justice, showing it as an enemy of freedoms and political rights in general," he said.
He added that "the socialist ideal always considers what is done for the comprehensive protection of human rights insufficient, and in Cuba we are interested in deepening that ideal, taking our values as a reference and consolidating our democracy, but a democracy consistent with our needs and demands. A genuine socialist democracy, not imported. A Cuban democracy”.
Díaz-Canel also referred to the achievements of the Cuban health system, with universal and free access, something historically disputed by majorities in the world and that Cubans enjoy.
"Of course we no longer conquer all justice," he said, adding that "the purpose has been raised, guiding efforts and actions, aware that it will always be necessary to do more."
For this reason, "in our management we mark the need to achieve higher levels of education, civic culture, citizen training, social communication, essential to raise awareness of human rights within the socialist system."
The Cuban president declared that "his dissatisfactions are personal." Recognizing them –he said– helps him to visualize the paths to overcome them. In them are the only forces capable of facing and defeating each challenge.
“The Government, more challenged than all to innovate and create; the organs of the People's Power of the municipalities, of the province, summoned to take the definitive leap on their current indications; the legislators, key in pushing everything we approve and agree upon; the political and mass organizations, to complete the circle of forces with the highest citizen participation”, he stated.
Díaz-Canel thanked Fidel, Raúl and the historic generation, who educated us in optimism in the face of adversity.
“Thank you for all the strength that feeds us the Revolution that you forged.
“To the brave Cuban people, infinite gratitude and our congratulations on the 65th year of the Cuban Revolution. Hope! Always to victory!”, he concluded.