May these difficult times be an opportunity for growth 

Sancti Spíritus.–" We must work with the conviction that we will defend our homeland, the Revolution, and socialism to the bitter end," said Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, on Wednesday morning during the extraordinary plenary session of the organization in this territory, which is advancing and has good prospects for success.

The dignitary affirmed that this work, which cannot be stopped no matter how complex the conditions may be, must be carried out on the basis of three principles: unity, anti-imperialism, and patriotism.

With the purpose of assessing the progress of the fulfillment of the agreements of the 11th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, and reflecting on the territory's commitments for 2026, the meeting was also led by Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of Organization of the Central Committee; Rolando Yero Travieso, head of the Central Committee's Department of Social Services; and the highest authorities in the territory.
IDEAS AT THE OUTSET
From Sancti Spíritus, in an essential reference to the current context and the threats it poses, Roberto Morales Ojeda reflected on the need to work swiftly to implement each agreement.
After addressing the implementation of the Government Program to correct distortions and boost the economy, the member of the Political Bureau posed more than one question to the membership, including how to achieve a revolutionary consciousness that allows us to understand that everything will depend on our own efforts.
At another point in his speech, he emphasized that, beyond any justified dissatisfaction that may exist among Cubans, recent events—Cuba's tribute to its 32 sons who fell in combat—demonstrate that "there is a great commitment to the Revolution among our people."
Later, the First Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee in Sancti Spíritus, Deivy Pérez Martín, shared with those present a detailed description of what had been achieved during 2025, and referred to how the Government Program had begun to be implemented to correct distortions and boost the economy.
A notable part of the indicators achieved positive results in the territory during the period that is coming to an end. This was reported by the First Secretary, who referred to the growth of militants and grassroots organizations, and to a political process—called "Sancti Spíritus en marcha" (Sancti Spíritus on the move)—that mobilizes and articulates all forces in order to improve life in the territory.
HERE, THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE "HOW"
The Plenary in Sancti Spíritus, like others held throughout the island, will continue. This was stated by Morales Ojeda, who announced that another meeting will take place at the end of the first quarter of this year. "This cannot be just another meeting," stressed the leader, who reflected on the importance of each member asking themselves what else can be done differently.
Morales Ojeda commented that, even though the territory is making progress, this is not enough. The current particularly complex conditions require the Party to demand that everything that is agreed upon is fulfilled.
The Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee emphasized that if anything should characterize the membership within the party ranks, it is precisely discipline, which must be assumed without extremism.
In addition to discipline, he insisted on priorities that should continue to set the pace for the organization's work. In this regard, he referred to the defense of the homeland, food production, the stability of the National Electric System, and the improvement of political-ideological work.
"We must move beyond descriptive analysis," said the leader, who also said that what is needed is to think about how problems can be solved.
OTHER REFLECTIONS ON THE COMMUNIST PARTY
In times such as those the homeland is currently experiencing, the role of cadres is decisive, Morales Ojeda said at another point in the meeting.
He also spoke about the importance of having competent cadres with ideological firmness who are willing to fight against problems.
He also referred to the rigorous control of each agreement and the need for a stronger link with the grassroots.
BE MORE INTENSE, MORE COHERENT, MORE DEMANDING
President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez shared in both plenary sessions the spirit of not giving up and of not stopping work, no matter how complex the situation may be. From Sancti Spíritus, he reflected that, after January 3, the scenarios became more complex. And in this regard, he emphasized: "Now what we have to do is apply the spirit of the Plenary Session (of the 11th Plenary Session of the PCC) in a more intense, more coherent, and more demanding way."
He spoke of imperial decline as one of the most dangerous stages, because "they tend to resolve things through the language of war." "That is why," he said, "we have set out a whole set of priorities for this moment, with the premise that we must prepare ourselves."
The dignitary shared the idea that high-level functioning is required of the Party, all institutions, the government, the state, the armed forces, mass organizations, and social organizations. He highlighted the value of how we constantly seek avenues for popular participation in everything we are proposing.
He devoted a large part of his speech to the concept of unity and stressed that it is not a matter of "unity of discourse," but of "conscious unity," of discussing all problems frankly, because "silence breaks unity, apathy breaks unity, criticism and self-criticism strengthen unity."
Díaz-Canel warned that not all shortcomings can be attributed to the imperial blockade or material problems. He also spoke of three fundamental priorities: the defense of the country, food production, and energy.
The Cuban president recalled the importance of allowing those who are not party members to participate in meetings where they can also contribute their opinions and proposals.
The head of state also spoke of paying attention to young people and always involving them, of popular participation and control, of eliminating obstacles and lengthy procedures, and emphasized the need to boost national production, even in the complex conditions we face.
A PROVINCE AND ITS CLEAR BATTLES
The First Secretary of the Party in Villa Clara, Susely Morfa González, spoke about two crucial battles—the ideological and the economic—during Wednesday's Extraordinary Plenary Session. Once the meeting was over, she summarized what had been discussed at the meeting for the press.
Regarding the desire to strengthen local and municipal development strategies, she said that it is not about having a company or an SME for the sake of having one. The important thing is to have a chain that responds to an objective need, or to production that results in an improvement in the quality of life of the people.
The party leader also spoke about defending the homeland, exports, increased food production, and all the local strategies that will enable self-sufficiency. On the latter, she commented that this goal will not be achieved until 2028 or 2029, but already, based on the number of hectares to be planted in the province this year, the results will be better.
"We are very clear about which municipality has the potential and where we can achieve an objective increase in a given product," she said.
On the subject of the business structure of municipalities, she commented that we cannot continue to think that they only have three or four entities.
We have to take a group of grassroots business units (UEB) that are strong today, that have workers, that have a direct social purpose, and turn them into socialist state-owned companies or state-owned MSMEs, she said.
She also said that there is a proposal in Villa Clara that will give the municipality greater autonomy and strength in its economy and production. "Everything we have been explaining here must be accompanied by a solid ideological battle, a lot of discipline, a strong change in mentality, and the Party's core members and activists must be at the center of these transformations."
The party leader affirmed that "all of this has to do with defending the homeland and with the prosperity we need to achieve for our people."
"Success lies in exporting, success lies in continuing to attract foreign currency, and success also lies, without a doubt, in believing that we can do it."