Our main priority is to recover the SEN (National Electricity System), asserted Manuel Marrero Cruz, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC in the Spanish acronym) and Prime Minister, who toured communities and production centers in the municipality of Gibara, where he also serves as a deputy to the National Assembly of People’s Power.
We are focused on continuing investments, especially in photovoltaic parks to reduce the blackout, which will change the country’s economy and the lives of its population, he added, adding that we will gradually see the results.
“There is a strategy to improve the situation in the summer.” In this context, he confirmed that, at the same time, we must continue to seek alternatives derived from our own potential within communities, municipalities, and provinces. When Marrero made these statements to the press, who witnessed his workday, he had already visited the La Sirena community, in the Floro Pérez People’s Council, where, together with local leaders and residents, he discussed the urgency of taking action to improve life there.
He stated that this place cannot be without an organic farming system, as these types of establishments are one of the most economical ways to produce food. “The beds in these facilities are made of rustic wood and use local plants. Water can be drawn from a nearby well, which can be applied with traditional watering cans, and harvests can be achieved within 30 days.
In addition, this means jobs are created for people in the communities themselves.” The continued aging of the population, which stands at 25.7 percent nationwide, was also addressed by the Head of Government, who said that the situation of the elderly must be closely monitored, as must be the case with all those with disabilities or vulnerability, so that they feel supported and cared for.
Regarding the difficulties encountered by residents in rural areas when traveling to municipal capitals to complete certain procedures, which are often burdened with bureaucracy, he stated that, under current conditions, due to the lack of transportation, the process must be reversed, with officials from those institutions visiting the settlements at least once a week.
At that moment, he acknowledged that the municipality of Gibara has made progress in this regard, but urged the municipal authorities present at the meeting not to be satisfied with what has been achieved, as there is still a long way to go toward achieving what is desired.
“We know there are difficulties with medications, but in the case of those insured with the card, we must do the same to reduce the number of trips affected people have from rural areas to the municipal capitals. Why aren’t the medications on the card delivered to the warehouses in the communities?” he reflected.
What was done at the El Vapor Base Business Unit, which has a well-maintained herd of 600 Siboney cattle, led him to praise the group, asking many of its members the reasons for their good results, even though they face the same problems and lack of resources experienced by the country’s livestock entities.
There, they told him they prepare hay to provide food for the animals during dry periods. Protein plants are also used, supplied in the form of native feed, and there is constant veterinary surveillance. Once the UEB directors informed him that they wanted more land to support livestock, which they haven’t been able to achieve, even though there are nearby areas in usufruct that aren’t being fully exploited by those who farm them, Marrero also suggested evaluating the situation, based on the idea that the land should be in the hands of those who reap the benefits and contribute the most to the people.
While visiting a tile factory belonging to the provincial Construction Materials Company, he praised the company’s directors and workers for the creative way they are coping with the lack of essential resources like cement.
There, among other things, he saw how bricks and terracotta tiles are made, which hasn’t prevented investments that required the use of blocks made from cement and gravel. Specifically, considering the role of the executives at El Vapor and the Construction Materials Company, he emphasized the change in mentality required in complex situations like the ones we are experiencing, as well as the role of public officials.
This is because we have a population that wants to move forward and understands the problems, but does not accept that those who lead workplaces and organizations in general only dedicate themselves to speeches and explanations. “It is a reality that the US blockade exists, which is the main impact, but there cannot be another.
Therefore, in every workplace and community, if everyone has that mentality, there will truly be change,” he concluded. Convinced, he added: “We cannot allow collectives to lose their spirit due to the lack of a leader who is incapable.Our capacity must be directed toward channeling collective intelligence.
During our journeys, we must verify the good experiences and examine what is not being done well. We must replace managers who are not willing to fight.” He also called for an emphasis on popular control, which is the people’s way of defending their rights, which leads them to not tolerate botched jobs and poorly executed projects, as is the case with idle lands that are not handed over, due to bureaucratic problems, to young people eager to exploit them.
But the people must exercise their capacity to defend their rights, which means they cannot coexist with botched jobs or allow the lands surrounding where they live to be covered in marabou grass because it isn’t planted, or allow young people eager to work to ask for land and not be given it because of the bureaucracy that persists. “To protect their rights, the people must join in the oversight process to ensure that state institutions function efficiently,” he summarized.
With information from Presidencia.cu
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernández
- Cuba willing to have a respectful relationship with the United States - 12 de May de 2025
- EMNI Supports Local Development with Diverse Production in Moa - 12 de May de 2025
- There can be no self-lockdown, says Manuel Marrero in Gibara - 12 de May de 2025