By Communist Party of Australia

July 6, 2026  The Guardian (Op Ed)

 

Cuba has recently adopted reforms to its economy in response to the tightening blockade inflicted by the United States empire.

The content of these reforms is in lifting some elements of state control over Cuba’s economy in hopes of easing the pressure felt by the Cuban people, and for the state’s survival against capitalist encirclement and military threats.

The revolutionary government has reaffirmed that these measures are to protect, not abandon Cuban socialism, and that the people’s ownership and control of the fundamental means of production is maintained.

These decisions were not made in a vacuum. No socialist state has ever been built in peaceful international conditions. Cuba has been blockaded by the US since 1960. The Trump administration has made the blockade much worse. Cuban women are having to give birth in the dark. That’s the context.

Dialectical materialism – an analysis of the opposing forces and interconnections in the material world – teaches us to pay attention to the particular situations that exist under universal principles. What does that mean in practice? Over the past 65 years, the Cuban revolutionaries have taken the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism and adapted them to the particular context of Cuban society.

When comparing a utopian vision of communism to concrete reality, the real world looks far more boring, or could even be called a betrayal. Fortunately, any Marxist worth their salt does not use utopian arguments because utopias simply don’t exist.

It’s important to remember that Cuba is just under 145 kilometres off the coast of the world’s deadliest imperialist power. Any attempt to blame Cuba for tactical retreats during the time of escalating military aggression is geopolitical victim blaming. Not only that, thoughtless criticism of an oppressed nation at the wrong time may end up giving the imperialists ideological fuel with which to unleash their terror.

Cuba is not perfect and has never pretended to be. As with any human activity, there are flaws that should be discussed. However, any issues that do arise should be made for the sake of strengthening the revolution, not weakening it. Furthermore, those in the Western world must not have a paternalistic attitude towards the Cuban revolution, especially since Cuba has the experience of building socialism under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

We in the capitalist world should look to Cuba for inspiration and courage that socialism can still be built despite all the odds against us. We must resolutely work to end the blockade and stand in material solidarity with not just Cubans, but all oppressed people worldwide. Only once the blockade is lifted, can the revolution truly flourish.

 

PHOTO: May Day parade in Havana, Cuba.