Cuba criticizes Harvard report on economic crisis and U.S. sanctions

Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Fernández de Cossío has criticized a report released by a Harvard University working group regarding Cuba’s economic and social future. De Cossío accused the authors of “blaming the victim” and attempting to “whitewash” the actions of the United States. He argued that the report fails to adequately account for the destructive impact of decades of U.S. sanctions on Cuba’s ability to manage its economy and meet the needs of its population.

The Harvard report provides a severe diagnosis of the current situation in Cuba, describing the scenario as “unsustainable.” It notes that the country is facing simultaneous economic, social, and institutional crises. Key data points cited in the study include an 11% drop in GDP between 2019 and 2024, a 58% decline in agricultural production, a 42% drop in manufacturing, and an 87% decrease in the sugar industry.

While the report attributes part of the crisis to decisions made by the Cuban government, it also acknowledges that U.S. sanctions have exacerbated existing problems in critical sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and food distribution.