On 12 and 13 December 2024, the 9th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba was held to address the consequences of the brutal blockade imposed on Cuba by US imperialism. The plenary allowed the government to outline its plans to confront the hardships endured by the Cuban people in the face of the genocidal 62-year US blockade against the backdrop of a global economic crisis. The leadership reaffirmed its commitment to fostering national unity, strengthening ideological and political work, and tackling the economy as the four fundamental national priorities in 2025. It placed particular emphasis on deepening the connection between the Party and the people, ensuring that the population remains fully informed and engaged in the revolutionary process, in the context of continued imperialist attacks.
A significant portion of the plenary focused on Cuba’s deteriorating energy infrastructure and the environmental challenges that have exacerbated the country’s current crisis. On 18 October 2024, Cuba’s largest power plant, the Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Plant in Santiago de Cuba, experienced a catastrophic failure, which resulted in a nationwide blackout. The Cuban state quickly implemented emergency measures to ensure vital sectors, such as schools and emergency services could remain open. However, the decentralised and aged nature of Cuba’s energy system made recovery slow.
Cuba’s weakened energy system is a result of the illegal US blockade, which has hindered Cuba’s ability to modernise its infrastructure. During US President Donald Trump’s 2016-2020 administration, 243 additional punitive sanction measures were imposed on Cuba, including 56 specifically targeting the energy sector. These sanctions have had a huge impact on daily life in Cuba. During the plenary, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel highlighted the severe challenges faced in importing gas and oil due to difficulties in completing international payments: shipments can remain docked for up to 15 additional days, leaving Cuba’s energy grid increasingly vulnerable.
Cuba’s energy crisis was compounded by natural disasters. On 21 October, Hurricane Oscar hit eastern Cuba, resulting in eight deaths despite the swift mobilisation of the Civil Defence System. Hurricane Rafael followed on 6 November, causing widespread destruction. No lives were lost; however, over 34,000 homes and 37,000 hectares of agricultural land were damaged. Despite only emitting 0.03% of global carbon emissions which cause global heating, Cuba is facing the brunt of the environmental crisis, which has caused further setbacks to economic recovery.
Despite these hardships, the Cuban leadership remains committed to resisting imperialism and building a more resilient economy. During the plenary, Díaz-Canel reiterated the need for greater mobilisation of the population, drawing inspiration from the Cuban people’s collective spirit during past crises. In his address to the final session of the plenary he likened the ‘Cuban men and women … who created a vaccine in record time and saved this country from the pandemic’ to the ‘anonymous Cuban men and women who restored the national electric system’s disconnections in days,’ exemplifying the collective struggle and unity necessary to overcome challenges.
Discussion at the plenary on the path forward focused on the dual purpose of the socialist system: providing for the basic needs of the population, while also building revolutionary consciousness. In this context, at the plenary, the leadership stressed that meeting the material demands of the population, while safeguarding Cuba’s social achievements in healthcare and education, is crucial for maintaining the socialist system. The government’s projections for economic recovery offer a roadmap that includes revitalising Cuba’s energy infrastructure and making significant investments in renewable energy. Two major solar energy projects, each generating 1,000 megawatts with 100 megawatts of storage, are currently underway. These projects are part of a broader effort to reduce Cuba’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, in line with Cuba’s 2017 ‘100-year life plan’, Tarea Vida, which has spearheaded the transition to a more sustainable energy model, while protecting the population and island from the worst impacts of the environment crisis.
Despite the hardships of 2024, Cuba has made important strides: 2024’s spring and autumn harvesting campaigns were the most successful in over a decade, planting over 985,000 hectares – 137,000 more than in 2023. This achievement was made possible by the mobilisation of farmers and agricultural collectives increasing productivity to provide a more stable food supply. Developing food sovereignty is a crucial goal in the face of the US blockade.
Another key issue addressed during the plenary was the integration of non-state actors into Cuba’s socialist economy. In recent years Cuba has opened up to private markets in the form of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which have developed largely in response to the blockade. Debates in the plenary reflected on some of the challenges of fully integrating these non-state actors into the state economy. During the plenary delegates proposed the development of legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure that these actors are integrated into the national development strategy and contribute to the collective welfare of the population.
The plenary concluded with a reaffirmation of Cuba’s revolutionary spirit and its determination to build a brighter future despite imperialist attempts to undermine the Revolution. As Cuba continues to resist the blockade and environmental disasters, the leadership called on the Cuban people to remain united, resilient, and committed to the socialist cause.
Viva Cuba! End the blockade!
Destinie Sánchez
FIGHT RACISM! FIGHT IMPERIALISM! 304 February/March 2025
