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Cuba advances 176 economic reforms amid fuel shortages and US embargo
Cuba’s National Assembly approved a package of 176 economic reforms that open private participation in sectors such as pharmacies, fuel stations, ports, tourism, agriculture and small‑scale mining. President Miguel Díaz‑Canel presented the measures as a strategic priority to address the island’s deep energy and economic crisis, while denouncing a U.S. “collective suffocation plan”. He said only one fuel vessel had arrived in the past seven months, causing a loss of more than 1,400 MW of generation and widespread blackouts.
U.S. executive orders issued in January and May 2026 threaten sanctions on entities that transport hydrocarbons to Cuba. Nevertheless, U.S. fuel exports to the island rose sharply, from about $87 k in January to nearly $6 million in April, with 476 000 barrels shipped between December and May, directed to small private businesses.
Decree 160/2026 authorises private micro‑, small‑ and medium‑size enterprises to run pharmacies from 4 August 2026, though pricing concerns remain for vulnerable groups. Decree 164/2026 gives state enterprises autonomy to set their own salary scales. Local officials in Granma and other provinces have urged rapid implementation of the reforms, while power outages have left five provinces, including Havana, without electricity for extended periods due to fuel shortages and grid failures. The Committee to Protect Journalists criticised the reforms for excluding independent media from liberalisation.
Entities
Cuba · Cuban Parliament (National Assembly of People’s Power) · Decree 160/2026 · Decree 164/2026 · Elías Amor · Manuel Marrero Cruz · Miguel Díaz‑Canel · National Assembly of People's Power · United States · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cuba’s economy is projected to contract by at least 6.5 % in 2025, with cumulative losses over $150 billion due to the U.S. blockade. cubaheute.de · www.eldiario24.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Decree 164/2026 allows state enterprises to set their own salary scales without a uniform wage increase. www.directoriocubano.info · cubaheute.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cuba received only one fuel vessel in the past seven months, causing blackouts that removed over 1,400 MW of generation. www.telesurenglish.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] President Miguel Díaz‑Canel denounced a U.S. “collective suffocation plan” and called the U.S. regime neofascist. www.telesurenglish.net · cubaheute.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Decree 160/2026 authorises private pharmacies to operate from 4 August 2026. www.cubaheadlines.com · www.eldiario24.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The reforms open private sector participation in pharmacies, fuel stations, ports, tourism, agriculture and small‑scale mining. www.eldiario24.com · cubaheute.de · www.stiripesurse.ro
- [● 3 SOURCES] U.S. executive orders in January and May 2026 threaten sanctions on entities transporting hydrocarbons to Cuba. www.telesurenglish.net · cubaheute.de · noticiabrasil.net.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] Cuba's Parliament approved a package of 176 economic reforms. www.eldiario24.com · cubaheute.de · www.telesurenglish.net · www.martinoticias.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Energy shortages caused blackouts that removed more than 1,400 MW of generation and left five provinces, including Havana, without power. www.telesurenglish.net · www.veridica.ro · www.g4media.ro
- [DISPUTED] U.S. fuel exports to Cuba rose from $87 k in January to nearly $6 million in April 2026, delivering about 476 000 barrels in May. www.martinoticias.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] President Miguel Díaz‑Canel denounced a U.S. “collective suffocation plan” and said Cuba received only one fuel vessel in the last seven months. www.telesurenglish.net · cubaheute.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The reforms open private‑sector participation in pharmacies, fuel stations, ports, tourism, agriculture, small‑scale mining and other areas. www.eldiario24.com · cubaheute.de · www.cubaheadlines.com · www.telesurenglish.net