"2024 must be a turning point and a source of hope", Diaz-Canel asserts

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Dec 29 (ACN) Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and president of the country, called today during the 8th ordinary session of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power (AMPP) in Santa Clara to turn 2024 into a turning point and a point of hope.
In his capacity as deputy for this provincial capital city, the Cuban leader congratulated the 108 delegates present for the exhaustive discussion of the budget.
We have lived through an extremely hard year, with the tightening of the blockade, but here we are; we must recognize that it has been difficult but also the heroism of this people who overcame the difficulties caused by the imperialist siege, our own mistakes and the accumulation of negative tendencies in several sectors, he said.
Diaz-Canel emphasized that the subsidized family basket will continue being provided and advocated for strengthening work, which results in production and equitable distribution of resources, because that is what socialism and the Revolution are all about.
The brilliant answers and alternatives appreciated in Villa Clara should become a rule and not an exception, since it is essential to be in conditions to face the negative effects of the blockade and achieve food sovereignty; "can it be done or not?", he asked.
Likewise, Cuban leader insisted that no measure will solve the problems by itself, so they must be designed and applied coherently to gradually reduce imbalances in the economy.
The new measures, he specified, do not go against the non-state sector and MSMEs; none of them will escape the popular consultation; they must be followed from the municipality and the levels of citizen participation must be increased when setting the budget in order to gain in transparency and systematicity.
During this ordinary session, corresponding to the 18th term of office, it was announced that 71 % of next year's budget will be dedicated to Health and Education, a sign that these services continue to be a priority for the state.
A total of 67.5 million pesos will be allocated to cultural activities and 80.2 million to sports, while 134.3 million pesos will benefit 4,267 vulnerable families through Social Assistance.
Reaching a surplus of 718 million pesos, based on the efforts of all forms of economic management, has become a commitment for 2024.
The 8th ordinary session of the AMPP took place within the framework of the celebrations for the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Santa Clara, the municipality that won the venue of the provincial act for the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, due to the advances in its economic, political and social indicators.