Now Reading: Crisis-hit Cuba opens pharmacies, gas stations to private firms
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Crisis-hit Cuba opens pharmacies, gas stations to private firms
Cuba's communist government on Wednesday lifted restrictions on private firms in gas distribution, electricity generation, waste collection, and medicine manufacturing, as the US fuel embargo deepens acute shortages. Private companies may now…
The Story in Brief
Cuba's communist government on Wednesday lifted restrictions on private firms in gas distribution, electricity generation, waste collection, and medicine manufacturing, as the US fuel embargo deepens acute shortages. Private companies may now sell petrol, import vehicles, and operate trash collection services. The decree comes after five nationwide blackouts this year and severe fuel shortages after Washington took control of Venezuela's energy assets. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said a foreign investment project for fuel import has been approved. Economist Daniel Torralbas warned that Cuban small firms lack the capital to invest, making foreign funds essential.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative of Cuba suddenly embracing capitalism ignores how the state retains tight control of education, telecoms, media, and defence. The chants of 'socialism or death' inside the assembly show the ideological bind, not a clean break. Equally, blaming only the US blockade lets decades of under-investment off the hook. The real test is whether foreign capital actually flows in to run the newly opened sectors, or if red tape and sanctions strangle the reforms before they help ordinary Cubans.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
