MÉRIDA, Mexico.- The Cuban regime has declared holidays on Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4 in recognition “of the efforts made by the people in this difficult 2024,” as announced this Friday by deputy José Amado Ricardo Guerra during the last day of the Fourth Ordinary Period of Sessions of the National Assembly of the Popular Power (ANPP).
The official accurate that the decision was made due to the “concern” with which the people have faced “adverse situations”, demonstrating “their capacity for resistance by carrying out their tasks with extraordinary dedication and effort.”
According to his statement, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero approved Decree Law 118 on December 19, which formalizes the work break with payment of salary for Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4, 2025.
In this way, these days are added to the holidays already established on January 1 and 2, extending the period of work inactivity by four days.
Although the regime now “rewards” workers by increasing the number of days they will receive salaries without productive support, Cubans say goodbye to 2024 with severe blackouts, a crisis of medical supplies, a transportation deficit, and food shortages.
The Cuban ruler himself, Miguel Díaz-Canel, acknowledged this Friday that 2024 has been “one of the most difficult years” for the Island, with “enormous efforts and insufficient results” in the face of the deep economic and energy crisis that the country is going through.
ANDthis fridayin the last session of the fourth ordinary period of the National Assembly of People’s Power, highlighted that this situation represents its “main dissatisfaction” and subjected it to “deep and severe self-criticism.” As is his custom, he assured that the main cause of the deterioration is the “economic war” imposed by US sanctions.
He also warned that his Government has prepared for a second term for the president donald trump: “We will remain alert, but without fear,” he stated. In addition, he said that Havana is willing to “dialogue and develop relations of respect on an equal footing” with Washington.
“We are aware of the possible implications associated with the coming to power in the United States of a new Government, in which politicians with very aggressive intentions against Cuba. As we have said, it was a foreseeable scenario and we have been preparing ahead of time,” he assured.
In an analysis of the complex financial reality, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the country lives “practically day to day,” although he mentioned “positive signs” with a “limited impact.” He highlighted a slight increase in food production, described as a matter of “national security.”
On the other hand, he admitted that the last months of 2024 have been “particularly complex” due to the impact of two hurricanes, two large earthquakes and three total blackouts of the national electrical system.
