The United States criticized Cuba’s gradual economic reforms, calling them “superficial” and “too late.” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the measures were “part of the dictatorship’s approach,” arguing that Cuban authorities announce reforms to signal a willingness to change but reverse course when they perceive a threat to their control.
“They announce a series of so-called reforms to suggest a willingness to change, then quickly reverse course as soon as the regime feels any threat to its complete control,” Pigott said.
He added that President Trump was applying pressure to push for “more substantial economic and political reforms” that would make Cuba a more attractive destination for investment and provide Cubans with “the freedom, dignity and opportunities they deserve.”
Cuban lawmakers approved nearly 200 economic reforms on Thursday aimed at strengthening the market economy and rescuing the communist island from crises that have worsened due to a US oil embargo, marking the most significant shift in the country’s economic model since it adopted communism six decades ago.
Cuba, which has a population of 9.6 million, has been deprived of Venezuelan oil supplies since January after Washington ousted President Nicolas Maduro.
