The ninth congress of the Cuban Communist Party, scheduled for April, has been postponed "to a later date" due to the severe economic crisis gripping the country, Agence France-Presse reported.
Congresses of the CCP - Cuba's only party - are usually held every five years, except in exceptional circumstances, to discuss major issues and the direction of the country's development. The forums in Havana bring together several hundred delegates from all the provinces of the island.
The decision was made at a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee at the suggestion of 94-year-old former leader Raul Castro, who is currently officially only a deputy after stepping down as leader in 2021, but still has a strong influence in Cuban politics.
The country with a population of 9.7 million has been in a severe economic crisis for five years due to the combined effect of US sanctions, low productivity of the centralized economy, a decline in tourism and the failure of monetary reform.
At Raul Castro's suggestion: Cuban communists postpone their congress
The 94-year-old lawmaker and brother of Fidel Castro stepped down as leader in 2021, but still has a strong influence in Cuban politics
Dec 15, 2025 03:56 99
