Cuban government defends plans to either cut rations or increase prices

The Cuban government said Friday it will have to either increase prices for fuel and electricity, or reduce rations for basic supplies.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel said such difficult measures were needed for difficult times, after the minister of the economy said Cuba’s economy contracted between 1% and 2% this year, and inflation ran at about 30%. There were problems in the tourism industry – Cuba’s main source of income – and in farm production.
“This is a question of complicated measures, as complicated as are these times,” Diaz-Canel said. “I emphatically deny that this is neo-liberal plan against the people, nor a crusade against small businesses, nor an elimination of the basic market basket” that Cubans can get with government coupons.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz said that because of economic problems, the government will have to raise prices for gasoline, electricity and gas, or reduce the amount of food and other basics contained in government ration books.