The president also underscored the urgent need to streamline operations and wipe out bureaucratic red tape in order to promptly resolve issues facing the population, problems that can often be addressed within the community itself.

Speaking on the Radio Rebelde program Criterio Compartido, the head of State highlighted that this forum for dialogue enables the creation of a collective agenda, as well as the identification and monitoring of the population’s main concerns and challenges.

He noted that, following the first broadcast two weeks ago, multidisciplinary teams have been working to find solutions to the issues raised by the 23 callers. Of these individuals, five could not be located, 16 have been visited, and two are awaiting a visit.

Diaz-Canel explained that, thanks to public participation, several key topics have been identified for future broadcasts, including basic services—such as water and electricity—economic justice, citizen participation, social equity, food production, and the defense of national sovereignty.

The president noted that this week evokes particularly deep emotions, as he recently met with the families of the victims of the Barbados bombing and of state-sponsored terrorism in general.

He also described the stance of successive US administrations as outrageous for attempting to label Cuba a terrorist state, given that the Caribbean nation has itself been the target of countless acts of aggression.

He also referred to the 59th anniversary of the death of the “Heroic Guerrilla,” Ernesto Che Guevara—which occurred on October 8, 1967—and to the commemoration of the start of the struggles for Cuba’s independence.

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