Cuba opens economy to private sector under US pressure

Cuba has announced a significant opening of its economy to private enterprise, allowing private companies to operate in sectors previously under strict state control. This move comes amid intense pressure from Washington and follows recent parliamentary approval of market economy measures.

The newly opened sectors include oil and natural gas exploitation, management of pharmacies, and wholesale trade. Other areas now accessible to the private sector are gasoline distribution, optical services, nursing homes, passenger and cargo terminals, port facilities, vehicle imports, and renewable energy operations. These changes are detailed in official communications disseminated through state media.

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This complements all these measures that have been taken and really allows, facilitates the participation of non-state economic actors in the country's economy.

These regulations are part of a broader package of 176 measures approved in June by the Parliament and the Communist Party of Cuba. State media reports suggest the new rules considerably expand the scope of action for private entrepreneurs and businessmen. This economic liberalization occurs while Cuba faces a severe energy crisis exacerbated by U.S. sanctions imposed in January.

Lázara Mercedes López Acea, president of the National Institute of Non-State Actors, stated that these measures facilitate the participation of non-state economic actors. However, she emphasized that the changes do not signify a privatization of the economy, as the socialist state enterprise maintains its fundamental role. Previously, a list of 125 activities were prohibited and exclusively reserved for the state; 46 of these have been eliminated, and 35 have been relaxed to accommodate private initiative.

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These new measures are not going towards the privatization of the economy, since the socialist state enterprise maintains its fundamental role.