Cuba has removed 46 prohibitions on private industry and relaxed 35 more after parliament approved reforms that are now in effect, allowing private vendors to import and resell certain goods and medicines.The measures let private pharmacies sell medicines, authorize private elder care, ease electric vehicle imports and open foreign oil investment, while the state retains control of tobacco production, internet access and media publishing.President
Miguel Díaz-Canel and
Lázara Mercedes López Acea, president of the
National Institute, say the steps respond to a humanitarian crisis worsened by a US oil blockade earlier this year and build on private-sector openings that began after reforms in 2021.