Economy & Trade
Cuba opens gas stations and pharmacies to private firms
Cuba moved on Wednesday to open several crisis-hit parts of its state-run economy to private firms, including petrol distribution, electricity generation, waste collection and the manufacture and sale of medicines.
The decree loosens restrictions in sectors central to daily life as Cuba faces rolling blackouts, water cuts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine. Private firms will be able to operate rubbish collection and recycling services, sell petrol, and import and construct vehicles.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said the results would come gradually. He also said the first foreign investment project for the importation, distribution and marketing of fuel had been approved, but gave no details.
Economist Daniel Torralbas said Cuban small and medium-sized enterprises do not currently have the financial capacity to invest in the newly opened sectors and would need foreign capital.
The reforms also cover areas including cargo terminals, retirement homes and golf courses. But the government said it would keep tight control over strategic sectors including education, telecommunications, media and defense. Cigar sales will also remain under state control, while oil and mining operations will be liberalized subject to state license.
Cuba's state electricity provider said it would be able to generate only about 27 percent of expected peak demand on Wednesday, leaving the grid facing a 2,380-megawatt shortfall. There have been at least five nationwide blackouts this year and many local cuts.
Update
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said the first foreign investment project for the importation, distribution and marketing of fuel had been approved, without giving details.
The decree also allows private activity in areas including cargo terminals, retirement homes and golf courses.
Economist Daniel Torralbas said Cuban small and medium-sized enterprises do not currently have the financial capacity to invest in the newly opened sectors.
Marrero said the changes would produce results gradually.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 July 2026 at 22:55:15 UTC.
Update
The decree also lifted restrictions on electricity generation, rubbish collection, recycling, electric vehicles, oil and mining operations, and the manufacture and sale of medicines.
Private firms will be able to operate waste collection and recycling services.
Private firms will be able to import and construct electric vehicles.
Cuba's state electricity provider said it could generate only about 27 percent of expected peak demand on Wednesday, leaving a 2,380-megawatt shortfall.
Details of the reforms emerged as Cuba's National Assembly met.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 July 2026 at 15:40:26 UTC.
Update
The decree stressed continued government control over education, telecommunications, media and defense.
The source item adds that daily life in Cuba has been affected by rolling blackouts, water cuts and shortages of basic necessities.
The source item adds that Cubans have criticised leaders and held regular nighttime pot-banging protests.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 July 2026 at 14:04:34 UTC.
Update
Cuba moved to open several crisis-hit sectors of its economy to private firms.
Authorities lifted restrictions in sectors including petrol distribution, port services, aged care and pharmacies.
The change was made through a long decree.
The loosening affects decades-old party doctrine.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 July 2026 at 13:42:15 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Marrero did not give details of the approved foreign investment project for fuel.
It is not yet clear how the newly permitted private-sector projects will be developed.
Source
AFP news report published on .