By Leticia Martinez on July 18, 2026
President Díaz-Canel continues his tours of Havana, focusing on basic services and support for vulnerable populations. Photo: Estudios Revolución.
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, continued his discussions on Thursday with Havana’s municipal Defense Councils, which were activated in early May in response to the complex situation the country is facing due to the severe effects of the intensified blockade imposed by the U.S. government and the oil embargo against the island, which has now lasted more than six months.
On this occasion, he visited Old Havana, Arroyo Naranjo, and La Lisa, accompanied by Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee, and assessed issues such as water supply, power generation, solid waste collection, and other basic services that have been severely affected.
During the visits—which began on June 30 and have now covered nine of the fifteen municipalities in the Cuban capital—the head of state expressed interest in the care of the most vulnerable people in the communities, and in this regard, he emphasized the need to ensure pensioners receive their payments. He indicated that he would seek solutions and streamline all mechanisms so that those who have given their all for the country receive what they are entitled to on time and without difficulty.
In the three municipalities, he highlighted positive examples—from both the state and non-state sectors, as well as the collaboration between them—that must be urgently replicated in areas such as garbage collection, care for the vulnerable, and pension payments, among others.
Díaz-Canel was briefed on the sports, cultural, and health promotion activities carried out by the Community Youth Network; on the young people’s connections with elderly individuals living alone, with vulnerable families, and with young people who are neither studying nor working. Photo: Estudios Revolución.
He also took an interest in the work of the Community Youth Network across the three districts—an innovative initiative that has enabled young Cubans to become involved in solving the problems in their communities. He was briefed on the sports, cultural, and health promotion activities that have been carried out; on the young people’s connections with elderly individuals living alone, vulnerable families, and young people who are neither studying nor working; as well as on the monitoring they have been conducting of the performance of the Family Assistance System (SAF), which provides food to those most in need.
Díaz-Canel also inquired about how the public’s complaints are being addressed, spoke of the sensitivity with which these matters must be handled, and reflected on the importance of maintaining order and public peace in all communities.
The head of state commended the organization of the work in the municipalities and called on everyone to continue facing the difficult situation the country is going through with optimism, confident of victory.
Source: Cubadebate, translation Resumen Latinoamericano – English