"Cuba's poverty stems from its lack of freedom." This bold assertion comes from Roberto González, a leader at the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), who challenges the Cuban regime's narrative blaming the U.S. embargo for the island's economic woes. This comes just days before another United Nations vote on the sanctions.
In a thought-provoking opinion piece published in the Miami Herald, González, the HRF's Director of Policy Advocacy and an adjunct law professor at Fordham University, argues that Cuba's economic decline is primarily due to a political system that centralizes power, curtails freedoms, and lacks democratic mechanisms to address its own failings.
The UN Vote and Its Implications
González's analysis precedes the upcoming vote by the United Nations General Assembly on Cuba's annual resolution against the U.S. embargo, set for October 28, 2026. He notes that in 2025, the resolution garnered 165 favorable votes, seven against, and 12 abstentions—figures that the Cuban government often portrays as a global denunciation of U.S. policy.
However, González sees this vote as a political tool used by Cuban authorities to shift blame onto Washington for issues he believes are rooted in the country's economic and political structure. He recalls Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez's claim that the embargo resulted in losses of approximately $8 billion for the year ending in February.
Analyzing Cuba's Political and Economic Systems
González challenges the notion that the embargo alone accounts for Cuba's long-standing economic hardships. He draws on the late Ghanaian economist George Ayittey's perspective that freedom, or the lack thereof, is a critical factor in economic development.
The HRF official describes Cuba as a one-party authoritarian state, with the Communist Party controlling major institutions, the economy, and much of public life. In contrast, private enterprise accounts for just 9% of Cuba's production, compared to about 60% in countries like China and Vietnam.
U.S. Embargo: Real Restrictions, but Not the Whole Story
While acknowledging the embargo's economic constraints—such as limits on agricultural financing and a ban on ordinary U.S. tourism—González dismisses the regime's portrayal of it as an all-encompassing economic blockade. He points out that U.S. goods exports to Cuba exceeded $876 million by August 2026, highlighting ongoing trade between the two nations.
He cites a study from the Journal of Development Economics, which concludes that the embargo only partially explains Cuba's economic deterioration, attributing more significance to the post-Revolution economic system transformation.
Lack of Political Accountability
González emphasizes the absence of political mechanisms in Cuba to hold leaders accountable for economic decisions. The 2019 Cuban Constitution enshrines the Communist Party as the supreme political force, preventing competitive multiparty elections and allowing poor economic choices to persist unchecked.
He contrasts the prolonged tenure of Fidel Castro, despite the failed 1970 sugar harvest, with a democratic system where such failures could result in political repercussions.
Investment Priorities and Economic Mismanagement
The column also critiques the Cuban regime's investment priorities amid declining food production. González cites 2024 statistics showing that 37.4% of state investment went to tourism and real estate, while only 2.7% was allocated to agriculture, despite ongoing supply shortages.
He highlights the powerful Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces, which manages significant business interests. Internal documents suggest GAESA has liquid assets up to $18 billion, resources that could address urgent needs like medicine and electricity repairs.
The lack of public financial statements and independent audits makes this figure contentious. González recalls former Cuban Comptroller General Gladys Bejerano's admission of her office's limited capacity to audit military-linked enterprises before she stepped down in 2024, underscoring the lack of transparency in Cuba's economic management.
Political Consequences and International Critique
González concludes by addressing the political ramifications of Cuba's system, including the imprisonment of dissenters and the exodus of citizens seeking better lives abroad. He cites Prisoners Defenders' record of 1,339 political prisoners as of August 2026 and official statistics showing a 16% population decline since 2017.
His critique culminates in a stark comparison: "The embargo gets a vote every year. Cuba's communist system has never faced a free one." The debate over the embargo intensifies as the UN vote approaches, with international coalitions urging member countries to oppose or abstain from supporting the regime's resolution.
On October 14, a coalition of Cuban democratic organizations called for a vote against the resolution, supported by over 1,000 activists and organizations. Among them were the Cuban Resistance Assembly and the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), whose leader, José Daniel Ferrer, argued that the resolution holds the U.S. accountable for issues he attributes to the Cuban government.
González's criticisms align with previous economic analyses by Cuban economists, including Pedro Monreal, who questioned the high volume of tourism investments amid declining agricultural production.
Understanding Cuba's Economic and Political Challenges
What role does the U.S. embargo play in Cuba's economic situation?
The U.S. embargo imposes real economic restrictions, but experts argue it explains only a limited part of Cuba's economic deterioration. The country's political system and economic policies have a more significant impact.
How does Cuba's political structure affect its economy?
Cuba's one-party system centralizes power, restricts freedoms, and lacks democratic mechanisms, hindering economic progress and allowing poor decisions to persist without accountability.
What are the criticisms of Cuba's investment priorities?
Critics argue that Cuba's investment heavily favors tourism and real estate over agriculture, despite food shortages, reflecting mismanagement of resources.
How does the international community view the Cuban embargo?
The international community is divided, with many countries voting against the embargo at the UN, but some argue that it distracts from deeper systemic issues within Cuba.