The Practice of the Communist Party of Cuba in Strengthening Unity and Building Consensus

Since the beginning of the 21st century, Cuba, focusing on the new changes, new problems, and new challenges in domestic and foreign politics in the era of globalization, has opened a new stage of development of model update [1]1 Model update (Spanish: actualización del modelo) is the Cuban term for the process of reforming and updating Cuba’s socialist economic and social model, formally launched under Raúl Castro at the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in 2011.. In order to unify thought and defend the revolution, the Cuban Party and government have adopted a series of measures to maintain political stability, strengthen inner-Party unity, deepen the building of a state governed by law, carry out an ideological war on the internet, and win international solidarity. Through building consensus and pooling strength, Cuba’s model update and anti-imperialist struggle have advanced in an orderly manner, the situation of internal difficulties and external troubles has been alleviated to some extent, and the social base and external environment of the model update have continued to improve.

进入21世纪以来，古巴着眼全球化时代内政外交的新变化、新问题与新挑战，开启了模式更新的新发展阶段。为统一思想、捍卫革命，古巴党和政府采取了一系列维护政治稳定、加强党内团结、深化法治国家建设、开展网络思想战、争取国际团结的举措。通过凝聚共识、汇聚力量，古巴模式更新和反帝斗争有序推进，内忧外困的局面有所缓解，模式更新的社会基础与外部环境持续改善。

Model Update Adapts to Changes of the Times

模式更新适应时代变革

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, Cuba achieved economic recovery through the emergency adjustments of the “Special Period in Peacetime” [2]2 The “Special Period in Peacetime” (período especial en tiempos de paz) refers to the emergency austerity measures Cuba adopted in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist camp, which had been Cuba’s main economic partners. in the 1990s. Since the beginning of the 21st century, in order to realize the long-term development of Cuban socialism, Cuban leaders have tried through model update to resolve the structural contradictions that have long constrained the development of Cuban socialism and to seek the organic unity and coordinated development of economic efficiency and social fairness.

苏联解体、东欧剧变后，古巴通过20世纪90年代“和平时期特殊阶段”的应急调整，成功实现了经济复苏。进入21世纪以来，为实现古巴社会主义的长远发展，古巴领导人力图通过模式更新，破解长期制约古巴社会主义发展的结构性矛盾，寻求经济效率与社会公平的有机统一与协调发展。

In 2007, Cuban leader Raúl Castro put forward the historical concept of “model update”. The Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba adopted the Guidelines for the Economic and Social Policy of the Party and the Revolution, officially launching the process of updating the Cuban socialist model. The Seventh Congress put forward new requirements for the theorization and institutionalization of model update and the new goal of building “prosperous and sustainable socialism”. The Eighth Congress emphasized that model update must adhere to the political bottom line of socialist principles and direction, made a profound reflection on the overall lag in the update, and sharply criticized the problems of standpoint, viewpoint, and method in the update work. The Congress pointed out that developing the national economy, striving for peace, and strengthening ideological work are the main tasks of the Communist Party of Cuba, and that the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba is the biggest obstacle to Cuba’s national development and people’s well-being. Díaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, pointed out that Cuba is not satisfied with simply keeping the country above the survival line, but aspires to creative struggle, does not give up and improves its development program, and constantly explores modernization in ways of updating.

2007年，古巴领导人劳尔·卡斯特罗提出“模式更新”的历史概念。古共六大通过《党和革命经济与社会政策纲要》，正式开启古巴社会主义模式更新进程。古共七大提出模式更新理论化与制度化的新要求和建设“繁荣与可持续社会主义”的新目标。古共八大强调，模式更新必须坚守社会主义原则和方向的政治底线，并对更新整体滞后的局面进行了深刻反思，对更新工作中存在的立场、观点和方法问题进行了尖锐批评。大会指出，发展国民经济、争取和平、加强意识形态工作是古巴共产党的主要任务，美国对古巴的经济封锁是制约古巴国家发展和人民幸福的最大障碍。古共中央第一书记迪亚斯-卡内尔指出，古巴并不满足于将国家维持在生存线上，而是渴望创造性抗争，不放弃并完善发展纲要，不断探索更新方式的现代化。

Since the model update, the Cuban government has continuously deepened the updating of ownership structure, promoted the reform of state-owned enterprises, and encouraged the development of the private economy. With the deepening of the model update, Cuba’s informal economy has developed rapidly. However, due to the lack of effective regulation and guidance, undesirable phenomena such as speculation and profiteering, tax evasion, and moral decline have appeared in Cuban society, and social differentiation has intensified to some extent. In recent years, in the face of the blockade, the epidemic, accidental disasters, and other constraints, Cuba’s economic and social development has faced unprecedented tests. The Cuban government is trying to alleviate people’s livelihood difficulties by adjusting and optimizing the rationing system and the social security system, and actively responding to practical challenges such as population aging.

模式更新以来，古巴政府不断深化所有制结构更新，推动国有企业改革，鼓励私营经济发展。随着模式更新的深化，古巴非正规经济发展迅速。但由于缺乏有效规范和引导，古巴社会出现了投机倒把、偷税漏税、道德滑坡等不良现象，社会分化有所加剧。近年来，面对封锁、疫情、意外灾害等制约因素，古巴经济社会发展面临空前考验。古巴政府力图通过调整优化配给制与社保体制，缓解民生困难，积极应对人口老龄化等现实挑战。

New and Old Leaders Together Carry On the Mission

新老搭配传承使命

Since the victory of the revolution, the founding-generation leaders of the Cuban revolution have long dominated Cuban politics. After entering the 21st century, the Communist Party of Cuba has made a series of institutionalized and law-based arrangements around the reform of the Party and state leadership systems.

革命胜利以来，古巴革命元老一代领导人长期主导古巴政坛。进入21世纪之后，古巴共产党围绕党和国家领导制度体系改革作出了一系列制度化与法治化安排。

In 2006, Fidel Castro withdrew from his leading post for health reasons. Raúl Castro successively took over as President of the Council of State, President of the Council of Ministers, Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. In 2018, Díaz-Canel took over as President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers. In 2019, under Cuba’s new Constitution and new Electoral Law, Díaz-Canel was elected Cuba’s first President of the Republic. In 2021, at the Eighth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, Díaz-Canel succeeded Raúl Castro as First Secretary of the Central Committee.

2006年，菲德尔·卡斯特罗因身体原因，退出领导岗位。劳尔·卡斯特罗先后接任国务委员会主席、部长会议主席、革命武装力量最高指挥和古共中央第一书记。2018年，迪亚斯-卡内尔接任国务委员会主席兼部长会议主席。2019年，根据古巴新宪法和新《选举法》，迪亚斯-卡内尔当选古巴首任国家主席。2021年，在古共八大上，迪亚斯-卡内尔接替劳尔·卡斯特罗，当选古共中央第一书记。

The principle of “the old leading the new and the new and old being paired together” is an important principle in the current personnel arrangement of Cuba’s Party and state leadership collective. The Political Bureau of the Eighth Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party has 14 members in total, of whom the 5 newly elected members were born in the 1960s and 1970s. Cuba’s new-generation Party and state leadership collective is characterized by youthfulness, professionalization, and diversification. Díaz-Canel, born in 1960, is hailed as a “son of the Cuban revolution”. Díaz-Canel obtained a doctorate in science and has published several academic articles on governing the country through science and technology. He attaches great importance to scientific and technological innovation and the modernization of governance. Since he took office, he has actively promoted Cuba’s model update, directly facing the challenges of the update and the concerns of the people. Díaz-Canel’s pragmatic and people-friendly work style and good international image have won high praise from Raúl Castro and other veteran leaders, the Cuban people, and the international community, thus enabling Cuba to smoothly realize the intergenerational change of the leadership collective and the consolidation and development of revolutionary power.

以老带新、新老搭配是当前古巴党和国家领导集体人事布局的重要原则。古共八届中央政治局委员共14人，其中新当选的5位政治局委员为“60后”和“70后”。古巴新一代党和国家领导集体具有年轻化、专业化和多元化的特点。出生于1960年的迪亚斯-卡内尔被誉为古巴“革命之子”。迪亚斯-卡内尔获得了科学博士学位，发表过若干科技治国的学术文章。他高度重视科技创新和治理现代化。他主政以来，积极推动古巴模式更新，直面更新挑战和民众关切。迪亚斯-卡内尔务实亲民的工作作风和良好的国际形象，赢得了劳尔·卡斯特罗等老一辈领导人、古巴民众和国际社会的高度肯定，从而使古巴平稳实现了领导集体的代际更迭和革命政权的巩固发展。

Forging Strong Leadership

锻造坚强领导

Since the model update, the Communist Party of Cuba has further strengthened Party leadership, safeguarded Party authority, and improved Party building, thereby maximizing the Party’s cohesion, fighting capacity, and ability to resist corruption and prevent degeneration. The Eighth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party pointed out that the Party will further strengthen the building of its functions, improve the cadre appointment and assessment systems, and increase the proportion of women, young people, Black people, and mixed-race people in important positions; improve the moral level and sense of mission of Party members and cadres, and resolutely combat and prevent corruption.

模式更新以来，古巴共产党进一步加强党的领导，维护党的权威，改善党的建设，从而最大限度地提高党的凝聚力、战斗力和防腐拒变能力。古共八大指出，古巴共产党将进一步加强党的职能建设，完善干部任用和考核制度，提高妇女、青年、黑人和混血种人担任重要职位的比例；提高党员干部的道德水平和使命感，坚决打击防范腐败。

The Cuban Communist Party attaches great importance to the inheritance and development of revolutionary tradition among Party members and cadres. In 2020, at the meeting commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of Cuba’s Party school system, Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, reviewed the original intention and history of the establishment of the Cuban Party school system and stressed the important role of the Party school system in strengthening Cuba’s revolutionary ideology. The Cuban Communist Party has convened many meetings on ideological work, listing the teaching, research, and publicity of Cuban history and Marxism as major priorities of the Party and government. In Cuba’s higher education system, the disciplines of Marxist theory, history, and ideological and political education are integrated into the specialty of “Marxism-Leninism and History Pedagogy”, aiming to train and supply teachers of Marxism and history for Cuba’s primary, secondary, and tertiary education systems. The Cuban Communist Party believes that Cubans must make their own interpretation of Marxism-Leninism, let Cuban youth learn history, feel history, grasp history, and find answers to the problems facing Cuba, so as to defend the national revolution. In the face of the many problems existing in the current study and education of Party history, the Cuban Communist Party is trying to promote the in-depth development of Party history study and education in the Party and the Communist Youth League by optimizing the team of ideological and political educators, improving the research system of Party history and national history, strengthening the construction of patriotic education bases, building a digital platform for history teaching and research, and strengthening the study and education of the history of the Communist Youth League.

古共高度重视党员干部对革命传统的继承和发扬。2020年，在古巴党校系统成立60周年纪念大会上，古共中央第二书记马查多·文图拉回顾了古巴党校系统建立的初衷与历史，并强调了党校制度在加强古巴革命意识形态方面的重要作用。古共多次召开意识形态工作会议，将古巴历史和马克思主义教学、研究与宣传工作列为党和政府的重大优先事项。在古巴高等教育体系中，马克思主义理论、历史学与思想政治教育相关学科统合为“马列主义与历史教育学”专业，旨在为古巴大中小学教育系统培养输送马克思主义与史学相关专业师资。古共认为，古巴人必须对马列主义作出自己的解释，让古巴年轻人学习历史、感受历史、掌握历史，并为古巴面临的问题找到答案，以此捍卫国家革命。面对当前党史学习教育中存在的诸多问题，古共力图通过优化思想政治教育队伍、完善党史国史研究系统、加强爱国主义教育基地建设、打造历史教研数字平台、加强共青团历史学习教育等举措，推动古共及共青团党史学习教育的深入开展。

In December 2022, the Fifth Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party emphasized the Party’s role as the leading core, requiring the whole Party to continuously improve the Party’s work style and methods, deepen inner-Party democracy, respect the opinions of the people, and make decisions and implement the spirit of the Eighth Congress by seeking truth from facts. The plenary session pointed out that “promoting the unity of the people” and “strengthening ideals and convictions” are the two basic working principles of the Cuban Communist Party. “Unity and cooperation” and “consultation with the people” play an important role in the Party’s organizational work.

2022年12月，古共八届五中全会强调党的领导核心作用，要求全党持续改进党的工作作风和方法，不断深化党内民主，尊重民众意见，实事求是地决策和贯彻八大精神。全会指出，“发扬人民团结”和“坚定思想信念”是古共两个基本工作原则。“团结合作”与“人民协商”在党的组织工作中发挥着重要作用。

Strengthening the Rule of Law

强化法治建设

Since the model update, in the face of ideological disturbances, undesirable phenomena, and social differentiation inside and outside the Party, the Communist Party of Cuba has tried to build a socialist state governed by law, strictly hold the legal bottom line, strengthen moral norms, and resolve prominent contradictions.

模式更新以来，面对党内外出现的思想异动、不良现象和社会分化，古巴共产党力图通过社会主义法治国家建设，严守法律底线，强化道德规范，化解突出矛盾。

The constitutional revision consolidated the foundation of the state. In 2019, Cuba promulgated a new Constitution after a national referendum. The new Constitution aims to clarify the principles and direction of the model update, remove the backward concepts and institutional fetters that constrain the model update, and counter the various stigmatizing assertions against Cuban socialism by hostile forces at home and abroad. The new Constitution stresses that Cuba is a socialist state governed by law, justice, democracy, independence, and sovereignty, and that the Communist Party of Cuba is the leading force of the Cuban state and society, and that the thought of José Martí [3]3 José Martí (1853–1895) was a Cuban national hero, poet, and leader of the independence movement; his thought is officially declared, together with Marxism-Leninism and Fidel Castro’s thought, a guiding ideology of the Cuban state and Party., the thought of Fidel Castro, and Marxism-Leninism are the guiding ideologies of the Cuban state and the Party. In the economic field, the new Constitution points out that ownership by the whole people is the main form of ownership in Cuba, and that Cuba’s economic system is based on planning while taking market factors into account. The new Constitution adds new contents such as opposing terrorism, opposing the use of weapons of mass destruction, protecting the environment, coping with climate change, maintaining the democratization of the internet, and condemning the use of cyber means to subvert sovereign states and create instability.

宪法修订夯实立国之基。2019年，经全民公决，古巴颁布了新宪法。新宪法旨在明确模式更新原则方向，扫除制约模式更新的落后观念和制度羁绊，回击国内外反古势力对古巴社会主义的各种污名化论断。新宪法强调，古巴是法治、公正、民主、独立和享有主权的社会主义国家，古巴共产党是古巴国家和社会的领导力量，何塞·马蒂主义、菲德尔·卡斯特罗思想、马克思列宁主义是古巴国家和党的指导思想。在经济领域，新宪法指出，全民所有制是古巴的主要所有制形式，古巴经济体制以计划为主，同时考虑市场因素。新宪法增加了反对恐怖主义、反对使用大规模杀伤性武器、保护环境、应对气候变化、维护网络民主化、谴责以网络手段颠覆主权国家并制造不稳定活动等新内容。

The new code of ethics strengthens the loyalty of Party members and cadres. In January 2024, the new Code of Ethics for Cuban Revolutionary Cadres officially came into force. In February 2024, Cuba held a signing ceremony for Party and government leaders to pledge to abide by the law and perform their duties. The new code of ethics emphasizes that Cuban revolutionary cadres should adhere to Marxism-Leninism, the thought of José Martí, and the thought of Fidel Castro, adhere to socialism, carry forward the spirit of patriotism, anti-imperialism, altruism, and humanitarianism, abide by laws and discipline, unite and cooperate, be hardworking and thrifty, fight corruption and promote clean governance, be serious and responsible, and study diligently. Díaz-Canel stressed that the law is a mandatory norm and embodies three basic ideas of Cuban cadres’ political conduct: first, starting from the essence of Cuban history, constantly find answers to current problems; second, defend truth on the basis of morality; third, practice the law and always defend justice.

新道德法强化党员干部忠诚。2024年1月，新《古巴革命干部道德法》正式生效。2024年2月，古巴举行党政领导人签署仪式，承诺遵法守法，尽责履职。新道德法强调，古巴革命干部要坚持马列主义、何塞·马蒂主义和菲德尔·卡斯特罗思想，坚持社会主义，发扬爱国主义、反帝国主义、利他主义、人道主义等精神，遵纪守法，团结协作，艰苦朴素，反腐倡廉，认真负责，刻苦钻研。迪亚斯-卡内尔强调，该法是一项强制性规范，它体现了古巴干部从政的三个基本理念：一是从古巴历史本质出发，不断寻找解决当前问题的答案；二是以道德为基础，捍卫真理；三是践行法律，始终捍卫正义。

The new Family Code [4]4 Cuba’s new Family Code, approved by referendum in September 2022, replaced the 1975 code, legalized same-sex marriage, and expanded protection for children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. promotes social harmony. In September 2022, Cuba passed the new Family Code through a national referendum, thus becoming the first country in the world whose Family Code was produced by a national referendum. The new law aims to strive for gender equality, protect the legitimate rights and interests of vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, women, the elderly, and the disabled, oppose social discrimination, and punish domestic violence and other acts contrary to social ethics. This law is an important way to resolve conflicts within Cuban families and will make Cuba a more inclusive and united country. Díaz-Canel pointed out that affection and solidarity, as the central axis of family relations, will be strengthened, and affection as a legal value will become more solid; Cuba rejects the demonization of socialism, especially on human rights issues, because socialism is in essence a system aimed at realizing maximum social justice. Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power and President of the Council of State, pointed out that Cuba’s new Family Code embodies the spirit of José Martí’s phrase “with all, and for the good of all”.

新《家庭法》促进社会和谐。2022年9月，古巴经全民公投通过新《家庭法》，由此成为世界上第一个经全民公投产生《家庭法》的国家。新法旨在争取两性平等，保护儿童、青少年、妇女、老年人、残疾人等弱势群体的合法权益，反对社会歧视，惩处家庭暴力等有违社会伦理的行为。该法是解决古巴家庭内部冲突的重要途径，将使古巴成为更具包容性和团结性的国家。迪亚斯-卡内尔指出，感情和团结作为家庭关系的中心轴将得到加强，感情作为法律价值变得更加牢固；古巴拒绝接受对社会主义的妖魔化，特别是在人权问题上，因为社会主义本质上是旨在实现最大限度社会正义的制度。古巴全国人大主席兼国务委员会主席埃斯特万·拉索指出，古巴新《家庭法》体现了何塞·马蒂关于“与所有人一起，为了所有人的利益”的精神。

Building a Security Defense Line

构筑安全防线

In recent years, hostile forces abroad, represented by the anti-Cuban forces in Miami, have continuously launched subversive and infiltrating activities against the Cuban revolutionary government through online social media. In July 2021 [5]5 In July 2021, anti-government protests broke out in several Cuban cities, triggered by shortages and the pandemic; the government blamed U.S. sanctions and social-media-driven subversion, calling it an attempted “soft coup”., demonstrations and protests broke out in many places in Cuba. The Cuban government believed that the incident was a “soft coup” and “color revolution” carried out against Cuba by the Biden administration through unconventional means. In March 2024, Santiago, Cuba’s second largest city, again saw popular protests demanding that the government pay attention to people’s livelihood difficulties. Cuban leaders rushed to the scene to guide and defuse the situation, and accused overseas anti-Cuban forces of interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs.

近年来，以美国迈阿密反古势力为代表的境外敌对势力通过网络社交媒体，不断发动针对古巴革命政府的颠覆渗透活动。2021年7月，古巴多地爆发示威抗议。古巴政府认为，该事件是拜登政府以非常规手段对古巴实施的“软政变”和“颜色革命”。2024年3月，古巴第二大城市圣地亚哥再次爆发民众抗议，要求政府关注民生困难。古巴领导人第一时间赶赴现场进行疏导，并指责境外反古势力干涉古巴内政。

Facing the intrusions of anti-Cuban forces, the Eighth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party stressed that great importance should be attached to and the institutionalized construction of ideological work should be strengthened, the publicity of Cuba’s socialist values should be strengthened, and an ideological war on the internet should be carried out to combat and contain hostile forces. Raúl Castro pointed out that national security and the unity of the people are very important, and an effective online ideological war should be waged against the attacks of imperialism and unhealthy ideological trends on social media. On the one hand, the ideological infiltration and subversion of imperialism should be dealt with in a systematic and forward-looking manner. On the other hand, by updating and optimizing information resources at all levels, a sound network development and early warning system should be established and improved. Improved informatization is conducive to national unity, and can also promote economic development, social participation, and the improvement of people’s living standards. In addition, in the face of cultural conflicts, Cuban Communist Party members should resolutely defend national identity and cultural identity, strengthen their study of Cuban history, and reaffirm Cuba’s sovereignty and independence.

面对反古势力的侵扰，古共八大强调，要高度重视和加强意识形态工作的制度化建设，加强古巴社会主义价值观的宣传，开展打击遏制敌对势力的网络思想战。劳尔·卡斯特罗指出，国家安全和人民团结十分重要，应针对社交媒体上帝国主义和不良思潮的攻击，展开有效的网络思想战。一方面，要以系统和有远见的方式应对帝国主义的意识形态渗透和颠覆。另一方面，通过更新和优化各级信息化资源，建立健全网络开发和预警系统。完善的信息化建设有利于民族团结，还能促进经济发展、社会参与和提高人民生活水平。此外，面对文化冲突，古巴共产党员应坚决捍卫民族身份和文化认同，加强对古巴历史的学习，重申古巴的主权和独立。

Winning International Solidarity

争取国际团结

In the face of the long-term U.S. blockade, Cuba has always adhered to a struggle carried out on just grounds, to its advantage, and with restraint, and has actively expanded diversified diplomacy to win international solidarity. In recent years, Cuba has further strengthened unity and mutual assistance with Latin American countries, consolidated traditional friendship with the socialist countries of China, Vietnam, North Korea, and Laos, deepened friendly cooperation with extra-regional countries such as Russia and Spain, and actively committed itself to regional integration, South-South cooperation, and the reform of the global governance system.

面对美国的长期封锁，古巴始终坚持有理有利有节的斗争，并积极拓展多元外交，争取国际团结。近年来，古巴进一步加强与拉美国家的团结互助，巩固与中国、越南、朝鲜、老挝社会主义国家的传统友谊，深化与俄罗斯、西班牙等域外国家的友好合作，并积极致力于地区一体化、南南合作与全球治理体系变革。

In 2019, the Second Meeting of Solidarity for Democracy and Against Neoliberalism was convened in Cuba, attended by more than 1,300 delegates from 95 countries, including left-wing organizations, social movements, trade unions, youth groups, student federations, intellectuals, and scholars. The conference conducted in-depth discussions around six major themes: “solidarity with Cuba”, “people before free trade and transnational corporations”, “decolonization”, “cultural war”, “strategic communication”, and “social struggle”. The final declaration of the conference stressed that the conference expressed solidarity with the peoples of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua in their struggle against the “U.S. blockade, sanctions, and interference”, and called on Latin American left-wing forces to unite in opposition to imperialism.

2019年，第二届“争取民主和反对新自由主义团结大会”在古巴召开，来自95个国家的左翼组织、社会运动、工会、青年团体、学生联合会、知识分子及学者共1300多位代表与会。大会围绕“声援古巴”“人优先于自由贸易与跨国公司”“非殖民化”“文化战”“战略沟通”“社会斗争”六大主题进行了深入讨论。会议《最终声明》强调，大会声援古巴、委内瑞拉和尼加拉瓜等国人民反对“美国封锁、制裁和干涉”的斗争，呼吁拉美左翼团结一致，反对帝国主义。

In recent years, the Cuban Party and government have also initiated or hosted the “World Balance” International Conference, the “Progressive International” Havana Forum, the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 and China, the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties, the 22nd Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, and the International Meeting on Theoretical Publications of Left Parties and Movements, among other multilateral and multilevel international progressive forums. Through active participation in and organization of various forums, Cuba’s regional and international influence has been further demonstrated, effectively promoting strategic mutual trust, unity, and mutual assistance among international progressive forces.

近年来，古巴党和政府还创办或承办了“世界平衡”国际会议、“进步国际”哈瓦那论坛、“77国集团和中国”领导人峰会、第22届共产党和工人党国际会议、第22届美洲玻利瓦尔联盟首脑峰会、左翼政党和运动理论出版物国际会议等多领域多层次的国际进步论坛。通过积极参与和组织各类论坛，古巴地区及国际影响力得到进一步彰显，有力促进了国际进步力量的战略互信与团结互助。

As a Caribbean island country, Cuba has limited endogenous resources, a single economic structure, and a fragile geopolitical environment. Raúl Castro stressed at the Eighth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party that a country as underdeveloped and relatively small as Cuba can avoid collapse and make progress in development only under the socialist system and on the basis of safeguarding social justice and the Party leading the people in unity to defend the country. At present, Cuba’s socialist model update has entered a key historical juncture of comprehensive deepening. On New Year’s Day 2024, Raúl Castro, in a televised speech, called on the Cuban people to unite to deal with the economic struggle and stressed that “finding solutions to difficulties is the unavoidable responsibility of all Cuban revolutionaries”. Faced with the current development difficulties, the Cuban Party, government, and people must all the more unify their thinking and strive forward in unity. Only by continuously consolidating the subjectivity of Cuban culture and firmly grasping the initiative in ideological struggle can the Cuban Party, government, and people achieve maximum unity and consensus, and thus orderly resolve the various risks and challenges that emerge in the process of model update.

作为加勒比岛国，古巴内生资源有限，经济结构单一，地缘环境脆弱。劳尔·卡斯特罗在古共八大上强调，像古巴这样欠发达和相对较小的国家，只有在社会主义制度下，在维护社会公正、党领导人民团结一致保卫国家的基础上，才能避免崩溃，并在发展中取得进步。当前，古巴社会主义模式更新进入全面深化的关键历史节点。2024年元旦，劳尔·卡斯特罗在电视讲话中呼吁古巴人民团结一致应对经济斗争，并强调“找到解决困难的办法是所有古巴革命者不可避免的责任”。面对当前发展困境，古巴党、政府和人民更须统一思想，团结奋进。只有不断巩固古巴文化的主体性，牢牢掌握意识形态斗争主导权，古巴党、政府和人民才能实现最大限度的团结共识，从而有序化解模式更新进程中出现的各种风险挑战。

The authors are an assistant research fellow at the Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a research fellow at the Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

（作者系中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院助理研究员；中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院研究员）

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