The Cuban government announced on Wednesday a sweeping liberalisation of its economy, cutting the number of activities closed to private business from 125 to 79 by eliminating 46 prohibitions and relaxing 35 others. The decree implements part of a 176-measure package approved by the National Assembly on 18 June, which Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said would be progressively rolled out; 110 measures are already under way and the remainder are to be applied by September.

Entire sectors previously reserved for the state are now open. These include wholesale and retail fuel distribution, pharmaceutical and optical services, residential care for the elderly, passenger and cargo terminals, port facilities, vehicle imports – with an emphasis on electric cars – and renewable energy. Oil extraction and mining will be permitted under certain conditions. Mr Marrero told deputies that more than 100 non-state actors have been authorised to trade fuel wholesale and that a first foreign-investment project for fuel import and distribution has been approved.

The move is framed by state media as a response to the “maximum pressure” campaign of the United States, which imposed a de facto oil blockade in January, causing widespread blackouts and shortages of food, medicine and potable water. President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the gravity of the crisis, stating that the country “simply cannot continue on its current course.” While ordinary Cubans welcomed the changes, London-based economist Daniel Torralbas noted that many of the newly permitted activities – such as mining, oil extraction and sugar production – require capital beyond the reach of most domestic SMEs, making foreign investment “inevitable.” There are now more than 15,000 small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Cuba, employing over a third of the active population.

The state retains control of core social services: hospital care remains free and state-run, and education stays largely public, though limited private tutoring and childcare are allowed. Media, telecommunications, security and the tobacco industry also remain under state control. Parliament is simultaneously examining bills on agriculture, housing and labour law. “The results will be achieved gradually,” Mr Marrero said.