HAVANA — Raul Castro said yesterday that his government will scale back controls on small businesses, lay off unnecessary workers, and allow more self-employment — major steps in a country where the state dominates nearly every facet of the economy.
Cuba’s president, however, also squashed notions of sweeping economic changes that would remake life on the communist-run island.
Castro spoke before Parliament, which opened its biannual session without Fidel Castro, who has made a slew of recent public appearances of late but missed another chance to share a major public stage with his younger brother.
Instead, lawmakers got Raul, who scoffed at what he said was speculation by the media that Cuba planned to dig itself out of a financial crisis by implementing major economic changes.
Fidel, 83, has not been seen publicly with Raul, who took over Cuba’s presidency, since he stepped down first temporarily and then permanently four years ago. He also missed a July 26 celebration of Revolution Day.
The elder Castro remains a member of Parliament. Outside Cuba, debate has intensified recently over who is guiding major government policy after the sudden media blitz by Fidel.
Another Cuban coup in the works, pffft?
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