The Prime Minister of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruzaccused owners of MSMEs in the country of spreading corruption and billing the State for millionaire amounts for work with inflated prices.
During a government visit to Cienfuegos “to correct distortions and re-boost the economy,” the also member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) referred to the violations allegedly committed by small and medium-sized businessmen in the province, both in the management of their MSMEs, and in the abuse of prices and billing to companies and state agencies.
“Twenty-one million… Contracts that we have paid to those millionaires! It has already been ruled by the MICONS [ministerio de la Construcción]that the little jobs they did don’t cost that much. They cost much less!“said Marrero Cruz in his speech, according to a report from the National Television News (NTV).
Without mentioning specific cases, the prime minister of the government of Miguel Diaz-Canel extended a shadow of suspicion over the incipient private business activitypromoted by the Cuban regime itself in the face of the evident failure of the planned and state-run economy of the socialist model.
“In all MSME jobs, we pay them 600 pesos for each worker so that they can buy their lunch. And the hospital lunch, and the doctors we are paying?”Marrero Cruz asked himself, questioning his own decisions and shifting responsibility for the collapse of public services to the “new economic actors.”
The discourse of the Cuban regime exposes the contradictions faced by the ruling class and the leadership that controls the dollarized economy and national wealth through the Business Administration Group SA (GAESA), under the control of the military.
In need of a private business network that boosts the economy and services, creates employment, produces goods, improves its image and establishes synergies between the state and private sectors, the “cadres” of the so-called “revolution” (and de facto owners of the country) fear the strength and gain of power of the private sector, which they condition by all means so that they remain “loyal” to the “social work” and the “principles” of a failed entelechy.
Far from having the courage and decorum to promote a true opening that leads to a process of economic and political transition in the country, the Palace of the Revolution leads the Cuban nation along the most disastrous paths and contrary to the interests of a population disarmed of rights and freedoms, and subjected to the immovable power of a repressive and violent regime.
The so-called “new economic actors” are pawns in the strategy of a regime that seeks to survive and perpetuate itself in power, and that to this end promoted the appearance of private companies in Cuba, with the aim of creating a clientele fabric and a certain empowered social class that serves its interests, and which can have under your control.
As has been demonstrated, many of the owners of MSMEs They have strong family or work ties with the Cuban regimeand are motivated to supply the State in its social care functions, or lower the price of foreign currency in the informal market, among other “missions.”
However, history and facts show that the Cuban regime is not a reliable partner, and that tomorrow it may persecute the “actors” that it created and promoted today. Everything is a function of your survival.
The arrival of Russian, Mexican or Venezuelan oil, or any other type of “fat cows” scenario for GAESA’s coffers, could endanger the existence of the nascent Cuban private sector, especially when the regime itself assures that it has among its functions is to promote the state economy, since the State (meaning its owners) will never renounce the “centrality” of the state company and the socialist economy, that subterfuge to keep national wealth under their control.
The sword of “public opinion” also hangs over Cuban businessmen, and they can be used at any time as a scapegoat to bear the blame for high prices, inequality or the “looting” of the State that prevents it from being able to offer quality public services.
Marrero Cruz’s words in Cienfuegos constitute, as so many other times, a warning to those businessmen whom the regime is beginning to identify as “millionaires” and corrupt, and responsible for the socioeconomic disaster that is being experienced on the Island.
At the moment they are allowed to continue with their activities, but in the discourse they are beginning to be increasingly pointed out as tax evaders, importers, speculators and corrupt. Entrepreneurship in Cuba rests on great legal uncertainty, typical of a totalitarian communist regime.
Whoever believes themselves safe from this situation due to overconfidence in your business strength, contacts with power, or personal wealth, you will be sinning in naivety and may find yourself tomorrow in the situation of Alejandro Gil Fernandezpaying for all the broken dishes.
