Cuban President Emphasizes Respect and Sensitivity in Addressing Social Issues

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, stated today that the country's social challenges must be addressed with kindness, humility, respect, warmth, and sensitivity. His remarks came during a Tuesday meeting of a commission reviewing updates to the National Program for the Advancement of Women.

The President stressed the importance of identifying and tackling critical issues such as violence against women, patriarchy, sexism, and the needs of vulnerable populations. He highlighted ongoing efforts in these areas, affirming that the well-being of the people remains the nation's top priority.

Reflecting on the legacy of former leader Fidel Castro, Díaz-Canel noted that economic growth must be tied to social development, as prosperity without equity is meaningless. He also expressed disagreement with certain viewpoints raised during Monday's National Assembly working sessions regarding vulnerable groups, arguing that dismissive attitudes contradict both government programs and the Assembly's grassroots character.

"None of us can act with arrogance or ignore reality," the President stated. "We must assist these individuals. The Revolution acknowledges the root causes of these challenges, and it is our collective duty to address them across all sectors of society. We cannot marginalize them."

In a related post on X (formerly Twitter), Díaz-Canel wrote: "Working commissions are debating solutions to navigate the country's current difficulties, many of which demand shared effort, intelligence, and creativity." He criticized what he called "a troubling lack of sensitivity in discussions about vulnerability," reaffirming that "the Revolution cannot leave anyone behind. That is our principle and our militant responsibility."

The comments followed Monday's joint sessions of the Commissions on Local Governance and on Children, Youth, and Women's Rights, where these topics were extensively debated.