Story perspectives

Cuba to Vote Cutting Ministries, Liberalizing Economy

6/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced that National Assembly will vote Thursday on proposals to cut ministries from 27 to 20 and reduce public-sector workforce.
Former leader Raul Castro signed a letter endorsing the reform package.
The reforms aim to open the economy to private investment, liberalize agriculture and attract diaspora capital.
Diaz-Canel said U.S. President Donald Trump’s sanctions have caused shortages, prompting expectations the vote will be a rubber-stamp.

History

Historical Context

In 1993, under Fidel Castro, Cuba legalized foreign-currency possession and limited self-employment, actions that lowered the fiscal deficit to 1 billion pesos by 1994 and lifted exports 18 % to $1.3 billion, marking the island’s first market-oriented shift. Now President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro plan to cut ministries from 27 to 20, a reform echoing that 1993 market opening.

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Story summary

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced that National Assembly will vote Thursday on proposals to cut ministries from 27 to 20 and reduce public-sector workforce.
Former leader Raul Castro signed a letter endorsing the reform package.
The reforms aim to open the economy to private investment, liberalize agriculture and attract diaspora capital.
Diaz-Canel said U.S. President Donald Trump’s sanctions have caused shortages, prompting expectations the vote will be a rubber-stamp.

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