By Arch Ritter
Finally, courtesy of Cubadebate, 10 de mayo de 2011, the key economic documents from the April Party Congress have been published. Here they are:
Información sobre el resultado del Debate de los Lineamientos de la Política Económica y Social del Partido y la Revolución
El Universal, 15 de mayo: México resana nexo comercial con Cuba http://mx.noticias.yahoo.com/m%C3%A9xico-resana-nexo-comercial-cuba-050853386.html
AP, May 15: New rules usher in a tasty comeback for Cuban food http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110515/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_cuba_restaurant_revolution
El Nuevo Herald, 14 de mayo: Hoja de ruta económica crea muchas dudas http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/13/941359/hoja-de-ruta-economica-crea-muchas.html
El Nuevo Herald, 14 de mayo: Decrece la población cubana en el 2010 http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/14/941470/decrece-la-poblacion-cubana-en.html
AP, 14 de mayo: Florecen los restaurantes privados en Cuba http://es.finance.yahoo.com/noticias/Florecen-restaurantes-ap-2124059919.html?x=0
Cubaencuentro, 14 de mayo: “Habrá hasta barcos y cruceros que vincularán” Cuba y México, dice Alarcón http://www.cubaencuentro.com/cuba/noticias/habra-hasta-barcos-y-cruceros-que-vincularan-cuba-y-mexico-dice-alarcon-262810
Sun Sentinel, May 13: Cuba explains offshore drilling plan http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/fl-bc-cuba-oil-20110513,0,4120791.story
NPR, May 13: Cuba’s Hunt For Oil Raises Questions For The US http://www.npr.org/2011/05/13/135996125/cubas-hunt-for-oil-raises-questions-for-u-s
The Guatemala Times, May 12: Has Cuba Lost its Last Chance? http://www.guatemala-times.com/opinion/syndicated/latin-america-the-new-new-world/2299-has-cuba-lost-its-last-chance-.html
El Nuevo Herald, 12 de mayo: Divorcios en Cuba se han triplicado en últimas décadas http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/11/939247/divorcios-en-cuba-se-han-triplicado.html
Café Fuerte, 12 de mayo: Censo: Hay 1.2 millones de cubanos en la Florida http://cafefuerte.com/2011/05/12/censo-hay-1-2-millones-de-cubanos-en-la-florida/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The Miami Herald, May 12: Black economist says Cuba needs affirmative action http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/12/2213836/black-economist-says-cuba-needs.html
Blog de Esteban Morales, 9 de mayo: Frente a los retos del color como parte del debate por el socialismo http://estebanmoralesdominguez.blogspot.com/2011/05/frente-los-retos-del-color-como-parte.html
IPS, May 11: A Sugar Boost for the Cuban Economy http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55586
Juventud Rebelde, 11 de mayo: Para solidificar el control económico http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2011-05-11/para-solidificar-el-control-economico/
Cubanet, 11 de mayo: Venturas y desventuras del turismo http://www.cubanet.org/articulos/venturas-y-desventuras-del-turismo/
Stabroek News, May 11: Cuba’s development after the Congress http://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/opinion/editorial/05/11/cuba%E2%80%99s-development-after-the-congress/
Radio Cadena Agramonte, May 10: Cuba Fosters Export of Goods and Services to South Africa http://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5579:cuba-fosters-export-of-goods-and-services-to-south-africa&catid=2:cuba&Itemid=14
Reuters, May 10: Cuba to outline oil plans at drilling conference http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/10/cuba-oil-idUSN1026232420110510
Cuba Standard, May 10: Imperial reports rise in Habanos sales http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/05/10/imperial-reports-rise-in-habanos-sales/
Café Fuerte, 10 de mayo: 30 medidas que impactarán la vida de los cubanos http://cafefuerte.com/2011/05/10/30-medidas-que-impactaran-la-vida-de-los-cubanos/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The New York Times, May 10: Cuban Government Outlines Steps Toward a Freer Market http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/world/americas/10cuba.html
Jamaica Observer, May 10: Cuba publishes awaited details of economic changes http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Cuba-publishes-awaited-details-of-economic-changes_8779333
Cubadebate, 10 de mayo de 2011: Información sobre el resultado del Debate sobre los Lineamientos de la Política económica y Social del Partido y la Revolución http://www.cubadebate.cu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tabloide_debate_lineamientos.pdf
Cubadebate, 10 de mayo: Lineamientos de la Política económica y Social del Partido y la Revolución. Aprobado el 18 de abril de 2011. VI Congreso del PCC http://www.cubadebate.cu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/folleto-lineamientos-vi-cong.pdf
The Miami Herald, May 9: Cuba publishes list of proposed economic changes http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/09/2209271/cuba-publishes-list-of-proposed.html
MacLeans.ca, May 9: Cuba releases vague guidelines for economic changes that will allow prívate property sales http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=w6797807
AP, May 9: Cuba publishes awaited details of economic changes http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cuba-publishes-awaited-apf-1254488478.html?x=0&.v=1
NPR, May 9: Cuba’s Hunt For Oil Raises Questions For US http://www.npr.org/2011/05/09/135996125/cubas-hunt-for-oil-raises-questions-for-u-s
Neo Club Press, 8 de mayo: Aumenta costo de la vida en Cuba http://neoclubpress.com/ultimo-minuto/latinoamerica/1287-aumenta-costo-de-la-vida-en-cuba.html
Havana Times, May 7: Changes in Cuba Leave Root Problems Intact http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=43108
Café Fuerte, 7 de mayo: La Cuba que viene en camino http://cafefuerte.com/2011/05/07/la-cuba-que-viene-en-camino/
Reuters, May 7: Cuba to finally unveil Communist-approved reforms http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFN0724979820110507
Havana Times, May 7: Criminalization of the Internet in Cuba http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=43076
The Economist, May 6: Corruption in Cuba: The cleanup continues http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2011/05/corruption_cuba
Europa Press, 6 de mayo: Cuba continúa la supervisión del control interno en el sector empresarial http://www.europapress.es/latam/cuba/noticia-cuba-cuba-continua-supervision-control-interno-sector-empresarial-20110506174119.html
Reuters, 6 de mayo: Cuba presenta un fármaco de veneno de alacrán contra el cáncer http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/cuba-presenta-f%C3%A1rmaco-veneno-alacr%C3%A1n-c%C3%A1ncer-075826248.html
Café Fuerte, 6 de mayo: Frustran contrabando de Viagra y Cialis con destino a Cuba http://cafefuerte.com/2011/05/04/frustran-contrabando-de-viagra-y-cialis-a-cuba/
El Mercurio, 6 de mayo: El modelo económico cubano se agotó hace 20 años http://www.elmercurio.com.ec/279133-el-modelo-economico-cubano-se-agoto-hace-20-anos.html
Gazettetnet.Com, May 6: Loans, taxes may prove daunting for Cuba economic reforms http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/05/06/loans-taxes-may-prove-daunting-for-cuba-economic-reforms
Havana Journal, May 6: Corruption in Cuba: Greed or just survival? http://havanajournal.com/business/entry/corruption-in-cuba-greed-or-just-survival-976/
Cuba Standard, May 5: Santiago shipyard launches vessel http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/05/05/damex-shipyard-launches-vessel/
Temas, enero-marzo de 2011: El Período Especial veinte años después http://www.temas.cult.cu/revistas/65/059%20Mesa.pdf
El Nuevo Herald, 5 de mayo: Los cambios no avanzan http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/05/935104/oscar-espinosa-chepe-los-cambios.html
The Miami Herald, May 5: A sacked minister and a Chilean trader are sentenced to prison on corruption charges http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/05/a-sacked-minister-and-a-chilean-trader-are-sentenced-to-prison-on-corruption-charges.html
Global Post, May 5: Cuba: Catching kleptocrats http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/cuba/110503/corruption-raul-castro
Cubanet, 5 de mayo: ¿Cambios en la planificación? http://www.cubanet.org/articulos/%c2%bfcambios-en-la-planificacion/
El Nuevo Herald, 5 de mayo: Zafra 2010-2011 supera discreto plan de producción http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/04/935120/zafra-2010-2011-supera-discreto.html
ACN, May 5: Cuba will not Reduce Prices of Tourist Offers, Says Minister http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/idioma/ingles/2011/0504tourist-minister.htm
The Miami Herald, May 4: Eager to modernize its army, Cuba invites Russia to share in profits from oil venture http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/05/eager-to-modernize-its-army-cuba-invites-russia-to-share-in-profits-from-oil-venture.html
The Miami Herald, May 4: Cuba seeks investors to build golf courses http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/05/cuba-seeks-investors-to-build-golf-courses.html
Diario de Cuba, 4 de mayo: Ministro dice que Cuba es ‘el tercer destino del Caribe insular’ http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4463-ministro-dice-que-cuba-es-el-tercer-destino-del-caribe-insular
Msnbc. Com, May 4: Cubans take baby steps to reform –and hope they don’t trip up http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42800243/ns/world_news-americas/
Cuba Standard, May 3: Cuba survives global recession without tourism rebates http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/05/03/cuba-survives-global-recession-without-tourism-rebates/
Bloomberg, May 3: Cuba puts peas in the coffee again http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9N07IT02.htm
Cuba Standard, May 3: US, Cuban experts to discuss oil safety at conference http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/05/03/u-s-cuban-experts-to-discuss-oil-safety-at-conference/
Generation Y, May 3: Cashews: The Forbidden Fruit of the Socialist Paradise http://www.desdecuba.com/generationy/?p=2468
The Miami Herald, May 3: Coffee-and peas-blend back on ration card http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/05/coffee-and-peas-blend-back-on-ration-card.html
El Nuevo Herald, 3 de mayo: Dedican a México Feria Internacional de Turismo http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/02/934000/dedican-a-mexico-feria-internacional.html
Diario de Cuba, 3 de mayo: México también quiere entrar en el negocio de los campos de golf http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4445-mexico-tambien-quiere-entrar-en-el-negocio-de-los-campos-de-golf
El Nuevo Herald, 2 de mayo: Peces corruptos http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/02/932179/alejandro-armengol-peces-corruptos.html
Cubanet, 2 de mayo: La tierra es solo para los revolucionarios http://www.cubanet.org/noticias/la-tierra-es-solo-para-los-revolucionarios/
EFE, 2 de mayo: Feria Internacional de Turismo apuesta por impulsar el sector http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/05/01/933102/feria-internacional-de-turismo.html
Reuters, May 1: Cuba touts economic reforms at May Day parade http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110501/wl_nm/us_cuba_mayday_1
AFP, May 1: Cubans mark May Day, await details of change http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110501/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_cuba_may_day
El Nuevo Herald, 30 de abril: Impopular medida frena la crisis demográfica en la isla http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/04/29/932109/impopular-medida-frena-la-crisis.html
Cuba Standard, April 29: India seeking more sports cooperation http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/29/india-seeking-more-sports-cooperation/
Cuba Standard, April 29: Tourism minister pressing for performance pay http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/29/tourism-minister-pressing-for-performance-pay/
Cubanet, 29 de abril: Aumentan precios en el mercado mundial http://www.cubanet.org/articulos/aumentan-precios-en-el-mercado-mundial/
El Nuevo Herald, 29 de abril: Funcionarios de la industria tabacalera acusados de corrupción http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/04/28/931199/escandalo-en-industria-tabacalera.html
Reuters, April 28: Cuban inventor turns trash into farm tools http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/28/us-cuba-inventor-idUSTRE73R70U20110428
The Economist, April 28: Smoked out http://www.economist.com/node/18621276?story_id=18621276
Cuba Standard, April 28: C&T expanding Cuba charter routes http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/28/ct-expanding-cuba-charter-routes/
Cubanet, 28 de abril: Crisis en círculos infantiles http://www.cubanet.org/noticias/crisis-en-circulos-infantiles/
Notimex, 27 de abril: Compartirán México y Cuba experiencias en turismo http://mx.finance.yahoo.com/news/Compartir%C3%A1n-M%C3%A9xico-Cuba-notilt-3819405907.html?x=0
Cuba Standard, April 27: Piñón on Energy: $4 bln for oil imports – what now? http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2011/0427ethanol-cuba.htm
ACN, April 27: Cuba Optimistic about Boosting Export of Forest Resources http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2011/0427forest-resources-cuba.htm
Cuba Standard, April 27: Sherritt profits rise despite flat nickel sales http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/27/sherritt-profits-rise-despite-flat-nickel-sales/
ACN, April 27: Cuba: Specialists Discuss Negative Efects of Ethanol as Alternmative Fuel http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2011/0427ethanol-cuba.htm
The Gleaner, April 27: A New Cuban Model http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110427/business/business6.html
Inside Costa Rica, April 27: Significant Growth of South American Tourists to Cuba http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/april/27/latinamerica11042702.htm
Globe & Mail, April 27: Castro brothers still play the ‘socialist’ card http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/castro-brothers-still-play-the-socialist-card/article1999678/
Cuba Standard, April 26: China to buy more sugar, but not from Cuba http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/26/china-to-buy-more-sugar-but-not-from-cuba/
Reuters, April 26: Cuba adjusts plans amid price hikes, weather fears http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/26/cuba-economy-idUSN2626225620110426
The Miami Herald, April 26: Loans and taxes may prove daunting for Cuba economic reforms http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/25/2184921/loans-and-taxes-may-prove-daunting.html
El Nuevo Herald, 26 de abril: Instan a privados a desfilar en desfile http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/04/26/929780/instan-a-privados-a-desfilar-en.html
Havana Times, April 26: Cuba’s Military with Unprecedented Power http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=42401
Los Angeles Times, April 26: Cuba’s next revolution http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-cuba-20110426,0,3224829.story?track=rss
Prensa Latina, 26 de abril: Cuba prevé recuperar producción de cacao en 2015 http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=283429&Itemid=1
The Vancouver Sun, April 26: Cuba plans parade backing reforms http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Cuba+plans+parade+backing+reforms/4674292/story.html
IPS, 26 de abril: Profesionales en espera de su oportunidad http://www.ipsnoticias.net/nota.asp?idnews=98058
Cubanet, 26 de abril: Detenidos funcionarios de la Dirección de la Vivienda en Holguín http://www.cubanet.org/noticias/detenidos-funcionarios-de-la-direccion-de-la-vivienda-en-holguin/
COHA, April 25: Press Release: Cuba Champions its New Direction, But Only to an Extent http://www.coha.org/press-release-cuba-champions-its-new-direction-but-only-to-an-extent/
The Miami Herald, April 25: A blogger’s notes: Perestroika revisited http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/04/a-bloggers-notes-perestroika-revisited.html
Havana Times, April 25: Silent Is Consent http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=42357
Cubaencuentro, April 25: Al combate corred, generales http://www.cubaencuentro.com/cuba/articulos/al-combate-corred-generales-261272
El Nuevo Herald, 25 de abril: ¿La ilusión para qué? http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/04/25/927422/alejandro-armengol-la-ilusion.html
Café Fuerte, 25 de abril: Gobierno reforzará controles internos en centros de trabajo http://cafefuerte.com/2011/04/25/gobierno-reforzara-controles-internos-en-centros-de-trabajo/
We are sorry, but most documents are available only in Spanish.
Discurso de Raúl Castro en la Clausura del Congreso http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2011/04/19/texto-integro-del-discurso-de-raul-en-las-conclusiones-del-congreso-del-pcc/
Resolución sobre los Lineamientos de la Política Económica y Social del Partido y la Revolución http://www.cubadebate.cu/especiales/2011/04/18/resolucion-sobre-los-lineamientos-de-la-politica-economica-y-social-del-partido-y-la-revolucion/
Resolución sobre el perfeccionamiento de los órganos del Poder Popular, el Sistema Electoral y la División Político Administrativa http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2011/04/18/resolucion-sobre-el-perfeccionamiento-de-los-organos-del-poder-popular-el-sistema-electoral-y-la-division-politico-administrativa/
Central Report to the Congress http://en.cubadebate.cu/opinions/2011/04/16/central-report-6th-congress-communist-party-cuba/
The Miami Herald, April 24: Surprise audits set for 750 state companies http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/04/surprise-audits-set-for-750-state-companies.html
Calgary Herald, April 24: Full circle for Cuba’s revolution http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Full+circle+Cuba+revolution/4666384/story.html
El País, 24 de abril: Alta Fidel-idad http://www.elpais.com/articulo/primer/plano/Alta/Fidel-idad/elpepueconeg/20110424elpneglse_10/Tes
Winnipeg Free Press, April 23: In a nutshell / Cuba’s revolution hasn’t found fountain of youth http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/cubas-revolution-hasnt-found-fountain-of-youth-120533619.html
The Miami Herald, April 23: Cuba’s future? One view from Moscow http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/04/cubas-future-one-view-from-moscow.html
Diario de Cuba, 22 de abril: El Ministerio del Azúcar dice que producirá 40.000 toneladas por encima de su plan http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4264-el-ministerio-del-azucar-dice-que-producira-40000-toneladas-por-encima-de-su-plan
Granma, 22 de abril: Aumento de incendios forestales http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2011/04/22/nacional/artic04.html
El País, 22 de abril: El VI Congreso y sus barreras infranqueables http://www.elpais.com/articulo/opinion/VI/Congreso/barreras/infranqueables/elpepiopi/20110422elpepiopi_5/Tes
Cuba Standard, April 21: Spanish company announces mega golf resort project http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/21/spanish-company-announces-mega-golf-resort-project/
Cuba Standard, April 21: New OFAC guidelines encourage funding of prívate business http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/21/new-ofac-guidelines-encourage-funding-of-private-businesses/
Reuters, 21 de abril: China se compromete a apoyar Cuba en camino reformas económicas http://lta.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idLTASIE73K0P120110421
Maritime Matters, April 21: Cruises to Cuba coming? http://maritimematters.com/2011/04/cruises-to-cuba-coming/
LAHT, April 21: U.S. Issues New Rules for Travel to Cuba http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=392145&CategoryId=14510
Global Issues, April 21: Cuba: How Radical Will The Changes Be? http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/04/21/9356
Ottawa, Citizen, April 21: Good riddance, Fidel http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Good+riddance+Fidel/4652467/story.html
LAHT, April 21: Raul Castro Must Still Heed Fidel, Chinese Analyst Says http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=392053&CategoryId=14510
Cubanet, 21 de abril: ¿Havana? Club http://www.cubanet.org/articulos/%c2%bfhavana-club/
The Miami Herald, April 20: Cuba’s regime buys time for aging leaders http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/20/2177474/cubas-regime-buys-time-for-aging.html
The Economist, April 20: The start of a long, slow goodbye http://www.economist.com/node/18586776
The Guardian, April 20: Cuba’s theatre of the absurd http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/20/cuba-reform-theatre-absurd
El Nuevo Herald, 20 de abril: Impuestos discriminatorios http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/04/20/925554/oscar-espinosa-chepe-impuestos.html
Cubanet, 20 de abril: No hay pesos cubanos http://www.cubanet.org/noticias/no-hay-pesos-cubanos/
Solvision, April 19: Cuba Meets 2010-2011 Sugar Production Plan http://www.solvision.co.cu/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2229:cuba-meets-2010-2011-sugar-production-plan&catid=2:nacionales&Itemid=118
LAHT, April 19: Raul Castro Vows No Capitalism in Cuba http://www.solvision.co.cu/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2229:cuba-meets-2010-2011-sugar-production-plan&catid=2:nacionales&Itemid=118
Generation Y, April 19: In His Own Way http://www.desdecuba.com/generationy/?p=2455
Reuters, April 19: Cuban communists opt for old guard to lead party http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/us-cuba-congress-idUSTRE73H79120110419
El País, 19 de abril: El Partido Comunista de Cuba elige a Raúl Castro como primer secretario http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Partido/Comunista/Cuba/elige/Raul/Castro/primer/secretario/elpepuint/20110419elpepuint_9/Tes
Eldiariomontanes, 19 de abrilo: El régimen cubano permitirá la compraventa de viviendas para impulsar la economía http://www.eldiariomontanes.es/v/20110419/internacional/destacados/regimen-cubano-permitira-compraventa-20110419.html
EFE, 19 de abril: China da su apoyo a las reformas iniciadas por Cuba http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/9/20110419/tes-china-da-su-apoyo-a-las-reformas-eco-3388ffc.html
Cubaverdad, April 19: Cuba calls agricultural leasing program a big success http://www.cubaverdad.net/weblog/2011/04/cuba-calls-agricultural-leasing-program-a-big-success/
Reuters, April 18: Cuban communists aprove landmark econ reforms http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/us-cuba-congress-idUSTRE73H79120110419
Diario de Cuba, 18 de abril: El VI Congreso analiza con qué cocinan los cubanos http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4190-el-vi-congreso-analiza-con-que-cocinan-los-cubanos
Granma, 18 de abril: Indispensable cumplir el proceso de contratación http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/secciones/6to-congreso-pcc/artic-12.html
Granma, 18 de abril: Gasto social con sentido común http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/secciones/6to-congreso-pcc/artic-14.html
The Sixth Congress of the Cuba’s Communist Party, meeting from April 16 to 19, may be a turning point for Cuba. It may also be the beginning of President Raul Castro’s attempt to forge his own “legacy” and to emerge from the long shadow of his brother. In order to succeed, the reformist thrust of the Congress must be ambitious and courageous, moving Cuba away from the defunct economic and political approaches copied from Soviet orthodoxy in the 1960s.
How likely is Raul to succeed?
There seems to be no chance that Raul will abandon Cuba’s Soviet-style political institutions and Communist Party monopoly. While Cuba is a signatory to Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Conventions, there is virtually no possibility that Raul will use the opportunity of the Congress to honor fully Cuba’s commitments to the human, political, civil and labor rights enshrined in these covenants.
But economic reform in a “market friendly” direction is probable. In various speeches since 2006, Raul has indicated that he recognizes the problems that Cuba confronts in terms of the production of agricultural and industrial goods and improvement of Cuba’s infrastructure. He is well aware of the unbalanced structure of the economy, the monetary and exchange rate pathologies and the dysfunctional incentive environment. He has approached the problems systematically and deliberatively – though perhaps somewhat leisurely.
Raul’s new approach is embodied in the “Draft Guide for Economic and Social Reform” published in November 2010. This constitutes an ambitions and comprehensive “wish-list” or statement of aspirations designed principally for popular discussion. It represents a strong commitment to reform. While there are internal inconsistencies and opaque elements among the 291 recommendations, there are deep-cutting proposals on many aspects of economic organization and policy. However, there were no priorities indicated among the recommendations. There was no suggestion of the sequencing of policies. There was no apparent coordination among the proposals.
In order to forge a viable reformist strategy from this wish-list, a new document is required. This indeed has probably been prepared for approval at the Congress. This document may include a clearer statement of specific objectives. It also would need to prioritize policies and include some sequencing of actions and generally to provide some “focus” to what is in effect a check list of good intentions.
In such a reform process many things would be changing simultaneously with symbiotic impacts and consequences that will likely be painful and are difficult to foresee. Will Raul have the courage to take the risks inherent in an ambitious process of economic change? This was not apparent in view of his earlier “go-slow” approach prior to the Congress.
There undoubtedly is opposition, of indeterminate strength, to the prospective reform process. Former Minister Jos Luis Rodriguez, for example asserted that
“…essentially, the model could be sustained; the proof is that the economy continued growing since 1994. ….the fact is that there was not a recession despite all the problems”
If the model was not in crisis, ambitious and deep-cutting reforms obviously would be unnecessary and perhaps foolish.
However, while the “Fidelistas” will run interference, the reform process is likely sustainable. There are a variety of reasons for this conclusion:
Moreover, the Fidelista Ministers have been replaced by President Raul Castro and he has moved his military colleagues into management positions throughout the economy – though this also is problematic.
Finally, at this stage of his life Raul is probably thinking about his “legacy” and his place in history. It is unlikely that he wants to be judged as the minor appendage of his older brother. He seems to want his own “economic model.” Perhaps he recognizes that while “History will (not) absolve” Fidel, perhaps it might absolve him. If he were to introduce major political reforms he would earn a very significant place in “History.” However, introducing deep-cutting economic reform is a start.
The Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba is indeed Raul’s main chance.
Primer Congreso del Partido Comunista de Cuba
The International Republican Institute has just published the results of a public opinion survey taken in Cuba, the fifth such survey since 2007. A series of questions were asked concerning general perspectives on Cuba, attitudes towards political and economic change, and access to information technology. Some of the same questions have been asked since 2007 providing some interesting comparisons over time.
The complete survey is located here: Cuban Public Opinion Survey, 2011, Int’n’l Republican Institute
The survey methodology was as follows
There are a number of interesting results of the survey. Here are a couple.
1. What do you think is the biggest problem in Cuba? 60.7% said that Low Salaries / High Cost of Living were the most serious, up from 40% in 2009, while 12.7% said that food scarcity was the most serious. 1% of the respondents stated that the Lack of Freedoms / Political System was the most serious. This suggests that Raul Castro’s priority on the economy is not misplaced.
2. If you were given the opportunity to vote to change from the current economic system to a market economy system – with economic freedoms, including opportunities for Cubans to own property and run businesses – would you vote in favor of, or against, that change? 90.7 of the respondents were in favor. The prospective pro-market reforms of the Sixth Congress would appear to be in line with public opinion.
3. Do you believe the current government will succeed in solving Cuba’s biggest problem in the next few years? 77% say no, a higher proportion than in any IRI survey since 2007.
4. If you were given the opportunity to vote to change from the current political system to a democratic system – with multi-party elections, freedom of speech and freedom of expression – would you vote in favor of, or against, that change? 78.2% were in favor.
5. Do you regularly use a cellular phone? 25.3% said yes, up from 10% in 2007.
Presumably the Government of Cuba conducts similar studies but with differently worded questions that produce results somewhat more congenial to the status quo.
But the results of the IRI surveys certainly must be of deep concern to the Government and the Party.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba’s pace of economic reform is expected to pick up after a congress of its ruling Communist Party that begins this weekend and whose main agenda item is “modernizing” the socialist economy.
Reforms up for discussion include: decentralization of government decision-making and revenue flows; giving more autonomy to state-run companies; slashing state payrolls and subsidies and reducing the state’s role in agriculture and retail in favor of a growing “non-state sector”.
The congress crowns President Raul Castro’s efforts to build a consensus for major changes in how the Caribbean country runs its economy and how its people live.
Since he took over day-to-day rule from his ailing older brother Fidel Castro in 2006, Raul Castro signaled that one of the world’s last Soviet-style economies was due for overhaul. But he has ruled out any switch to Western-style capitalism.
What follows is a chronology of Castro’s most important reform measures and statements:
2007
July – In his first major speech, Raul Castro calls the state milk collection and distribution system “absurd” and says farmers will deliver directly to local consumers where possible.
“To have more, we have to begin by producing more, with a sense of rationality and efficiency,” he said.
August – Castro signs a law ordering all state companies to adopt a system of “perfecting” management. This was developed by the military when Castro was defense minister to improve performance using capitalist-style management techniques.
2008
February – In his formal inaugural address as the new Cuban president, Castro says: “We must make efforts to find the ways and means to remove any deterrent to productive forces. In many respects, local initiative can be effective and viable”.
March – Computers, cell phones, DVD players and electric appliances go on sale for the public and bans on Cubans renting cars and staying in tourism hotels are lifted.
A sweeping reform of agriculture begins. This includes decentralization of decision-making, increases in state prices paid to farmers, leasing of fallow state land and loosening of regulations on farmers selling directly to consumers.
August – A significant labor reform ties wages to individual productivity, and caps on earnings are eliminated.
Government announces domestic freight transport and housing construction will be decentralized to the municipal level.
2009
March – Castro purges his brother’s economic cabinet and places trusted military men and reform-minded technocrats in key economy and planning posts. The central bank head Francisco Soberon quits two months later and is replaced.
April – The new cabinet slashes the budget and imports. Plans are unveiled to develop suburban farming around most cities and towns, using mainly private plots.
July – Castro is quoted as stating “ideas chart the course, the reality of figures is decisive,” an unusual statement in a nation where ideology and politics trump economics.
August – National Assembly establishes office of the Comptroller General of the Republic. Castro says it will aim to improve “economic discipline” and crack down on corruption.
He calls for “elimination of free services and improper subsidies — with the exception of those called for in the constitution (healthcare, education and social security).”
Santiago mountain dwellers are allowed to sell fruits and produce at roadside kiosks. Spreads to adjoining provinces.
September – Licenses are issued to food vendors in various cities, making them legal.
October – Granma announces state work place lunchrooms will close in exchange for a daily stipend.
December – Economy Minister Marino Murillo tells parliament: “We have begun experiments … to ease the burden on the state of some services it provides.”
2010
January – Municipal governments are ordered to draw up economic development plans that may include cooperatives and small business. A pilot project where taxi drivers lease cabs instead of receiving a state wage begins in Havana.
April – Barbershops and beauty salons with up to three chairs go over to a leasing system. Rules for home construction and improvements are liberalized.
June – Sale of construction materials to the population is liberalized. The government authorizes farm cooperatives to establish mini-industries to process produce.
August – New rules authorize Cubans with small garden plots and small farmers to sell produce directly to consumers.
The state increases from 50 to 99 years the time foreign companies can lease land as part of tourism and leisure development projects, such as golf courses and marinas.
Stores open where farmers can purchase supplies in local currency without regulation.
September – The government announces the lay-off of more than 500,000 state workers and 250,000 new licenses for family businesses over six months. Some 200,000 of the state jobs will go over to leasing, cooperatives and other arrangements. Unemployment benefits are cut.
Self-employment regulations are loosened and taxes tightened. Family businesses are authorized for the first time to hire labor, do business with the state and rent space.
December – Castro gives most explicit reform speech yet urging change of “erroneous and unsustainable concepts about socialism that have been deeply rooted in broad sectors of the population over the years, as a result of the excessively paternalistic, idealistic and egalitarian approach instituted by the Revolution in the interest of social justice.”
2011
January – State banks begin issuing microcredits to would-be farmers who have leased land.
March – Castro announces the original timetable to lay-off 500,000 state workers by April has been scrapped and there is no fixed date to complete the process as workers resist losing their jobs and balk at the high cost of proposed leasing arrangements. Castro creates new post to oversee economic reform and promotes Economy Minister Murillo to the job.
April – Authorities announce 120,000 people have leased land since 2008 and 180,000 people have taken out licenses to work for themselves and rent space to new entrepreneurs since October. State banks are authorized to issue microcredits to new entrepreneurs and state bodies to do business with them.
Granma International, April 17: Central Report to the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/16-abril-central.html
AP, 17 de abril: Cuba, reformas sí pero no acumulación de propiedad http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/11/20110416/twl-car-gen-cuba-comunistas-cabeza-1be00ca.html
El País, 17 de abril: Raúl Castro pone firme al Partido Comunista http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Raul/Castro/pone/firme/Partido/Comunista/elpepuint/20110417elpepuint_1/Tes
Gulf Oil Spill, April 17: Cuba explores for oil as US watches http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/16/2171421/cuba-explores-for-oil-as-us-watches.html
Diario de Cuba, 17 de abril: Ejecutivo cree que el aumento de los viajes a Cuba ‘no es malo para Puerto Rico’ http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4182-ejecutivo-cree-que-el-aumento-de-los-viajes-cuba-no-es-malo-para-puerto-rico
Reuters, April 16: Cuba to consider term limits for leaders: Castro http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110417/wl_nm/us_cuba_congress_2
The Washington Post, April 16: Soldiers, children parade as Cuba opens Communist Party talks against nationalist backdrop http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/soldiers_children_parade_as_cuba_opens_communist_party_talks_against_nationalist_backdrop/2011/04/16/AFYRISoD_story.html?wprss=rss_world
Europa Press, 16 de abril: Cuba comienza un debate histórico sobre las reformas económicas y sociales http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/5/20110416/twl-cuba-comienza-un-debate-histrico-sob-f6923c3.html
The Miami Herald, April 16: Commodities Price Surge Boosts Cuba’s Food-Import Bill http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=391746&CategoryId=14510
BBC Mundo, 16 de abril: Cuba: ¿”internacionalismo proletario” o exportación de profesionales? http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2011/04/110413_cuba_congreso_cooperacion_sao.shtml
The Miami Herald, April 15: Critical Communist Party Congress begins Satuday in Cuba http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/15/2169260/critical-communist-party-congress.html
The Guardian, April 15: Fifty years after the Bay of Pigs, Cuba is a long way from its socialist revolution http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/15/bay-of-pigs-50-cuba
International Republican Institute, April 15: Cuban Public Opinion Survey http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2011%20April%20Cuba%20Poll%20Final%20Survey%20Slide%20Presentation.pdf
The Miami Herald, April 15: Granma: State spends more to subsidize food, so local producers most do their part http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/04/granma-state-spends-more-to-subsidize-food-so-local-producers-must-do-their-part.html
Granma, 15 de abril: El país tendrá que pagar más por importar lo mismo http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2011/04/15/nacional/artic01.html
BBC Mundo, 15 de abril: Cuba: ¿burócratas contra la burocracia? http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2011/04/110414_cuba_reformas_burocracia_sao.shtml
NPR, April 15: Real Estate, Auto Markets Drive Reform Talk In Cuba http://www.npr.org/2011/04/15/135406369/real-estate-auto-markets-drive-reform-talk-in-cuba?ft=1&f=1001
AlJazeera, April 15: Cuba’s party congress: The road to reform? http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/04/2011415115956558182.html
Cuba Standard, April 15: Citrus groves in Cubitas to expand http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/15/citrus-groves-in-cubitas-to-expand/
The Wall Street Journal, April 14: Cuba’s Deep-Water Drilling Proposal Raises Concern http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703983104576263270279800368.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Cuba Standard, April 14: Party congress filling gaps of economic reform puzzle http://www.cubastandard.com/2011/04/14/party-congress-adds-pieces-to-the-economic-reform-puzzle/
Havana Times, April 14: Cuba’s Clock Is Ticking Away http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=41557
El Boletín, 14 de abril: Cuba camina hacia la unificación monetaria, según los expertos http://www.elboletin.com/index.php?noticia=33649&name=Econom%C3%ADa
Café Fuerte, 14 de abril: EEUU excluye a Cuba de foro sobre riesgos de exploración petrolera http://cafefuerte.com/2011/04/14/washington-excluye-a-cuba-de-foro-sobre-riesgos-de-perforacion-petrolera/
BBC, April 14: Cuba faces its worst drought for 50 years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13079773
Diario de Cuba, 13 de abril: Ciudad sedienta http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4123-ciudad-sedienta
Reuters, April 13: Cuba’s Communist Party looks to future http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/13/us-cuba-congress-idUSTRE73C6ZB20110413
Reuters, April 13: Chronology: Raul Castro’s road to reform in Cuba http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/13/us-cuba-reform-chronology-idUSTRE73C70C20110413
Havana Times, April 13: Cuba’s Youth, As Diverse as the Times http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=41461
Cubaencuentro, 13 de abril: “Granma” culpa a las empresas de la ineficacia económica http://www.cubaencuentro.com/cuba/noticias/granma-culpa-a-las-empresas-de-la-ineficacia-economica-260568
Granma, 13 de abril: A la empresa lo que es de ella, y a la función estatal lo suyo http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2011/04/13/nacional/artic01.html
Diario de Cuba, 13 de abril: Amplían el aeropuerto de Varadero ante la previsión del aumento turístico http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4104-amplian-el-aeropuerto-de-varadero-ante-la-prevision-del-incremento-turistico
IPS, 13 de abril: Horizonte juvenil incierto http://ipsnoticias.net/nota.asp?idnews=97965
Reuters, April 12: Cubans hope party congress may loosen home, car sales http://af.reuters.com/article/metalsNews/idAFN1218208220110412
Granma, 12 de abril: En La Habana: Abasto de agua puede complicarse más http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2011/04/12/nacional/artic01.html
IANS, April 12: Cuba expects to sell four million cases of rum in 2011 http://www.inewsone.com/2011/04/12/cuba-expects-to-sell-four-million-cases-of-rum-in-2011/42730
Cubanet, 12 de abril: Con esos precios no se puede http://www.cubanet.org/articulos/con-esos-precios-no-se-puede/
Xinhua, April 11: Cuba reports 1 mln tourists in Q1 http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/travel/2011-04/12/c_13825229.htm
Diario de Cuba, 11 de abril: Expertos, empresarios y juristas presentan en Madrid un plan para una economía ‘libre, justa y solidaria’ http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4070-expertos-empresarios-y-juristas-presentan-en-madrid-un-plan-para-una-economia-libre-justa–
Los retos de la economía cubana en el siglo XXI: Hacia una economía libre, justa y solidaria http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/4071-los-retos-de-la-economia-cubana-en-el-siglo-xxi-hacia-una-economia-libre-justa-y-solidaria
Cubaencuentro, 11 de abril: Petróleo a la vista http://www.cubaencuentro.com/cuba/articulos/petroleo-a-la-vista-260361
Diario de Cuba, 11 de abril: Nuevas legislaciones: ¿leyes para una clase? http://www.diariodecuba.com/opinion/4061-nuevas-legislaciones-leyes-para-una-clase
Havana Times, April 11: Self-employed Work in Cuba (Part II): http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=41365
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