The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects in the most categorical terms the so-called “Act not to recognize stolen trademarks in the United States” recently signed by the President of the United States, promoted by the anti-Cuban sectors in the U.S. Congress and consisting of a new unilateral coercive measure, which reinforces the blockade against the Cuban economy. It broadens the scope of section 211 of the Appropriations Act for fiscal year 1999, which, according to the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization, violates the international system for the protection of intellectual property.

This law deals a new blow to the international system of industrial property protection and confirms the contempt of the United States for the institutions of international law, in particular, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

The “Law for not recognizing stolen trademarks in the United States” provides a patent of corse that widens the way to consolidate the theft of Cuban trademarks legitimately registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The attitude of the U.S. government contrasts with that of the Cuban authorities, which have always acted in strict compliance with the international conventions on intellectual property to which Cuba and the United States are parties. Currently, 6,448 U.S. trademarks are registered and protected in Cuba.

Once again, the U.S. Government is giving space to the dark interests of the most aggressive anti-Cuban sectors, whose manipulation of the U.S. political system has become a practice. The same happened in 1996, when the infamous colonial Helms-Burton Act was passed, which some also called the Bacardi Act. With great participation in the drafting of the Helms-Burton Act and the so-called Section 211, Bacardi shares the responsibility for the suffering imposed on Cuba by those who do not accept the course of independence and sovereignty chosen by the Cuban people.

Havana, December 10, 2024

This Monday, the Official Gazette of the Republic, in its 78th regular edition, published six decree-laws, two decrees and 11 resolutions of different agencies related to the activity of non-state economic actors.
Lázara Mercedes López Acea, president of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors – an entity created by Decree 108 – expressed that these normative provisions are the result of a broad process that began in 2023, and provides for the updating of several laws in force since 2021 related to non-state economic actors.
She added that this update is part of the Government’s projections to correct distortions and revive the economy, and has been consulted with all agencies of the Central State Administration, territorial governments, municipal administrative councils and a representation of economic actors.
On the basis of all the opinions expressed – she said – the regulatory provisions have been updated to maintain the possibility of self-employment activities (TCP), the creation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes), as well as non-agricultural cooperatives (CNA).
The norms provide for tax and accounting modifications for non-state actors, as well as to the normative provisions on the exercise of self-employment, as well as its contraventions; the activities not authorized for TCP, mipymes and CNA; the creation of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors; and updates to the bidding procedure, among others.

As a result of a rigorous investigation, serious errors committed by former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernandez, in the performance of his duties were determined.
Taking into account the level of verification of the facts, and at the proposal of the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party and the Council of State approved that the competent bodies of the Ministry of the Interior initiate the corresponding actions for the full clarification of these conducts.
From the very beginning of these proceedings, the person involved has acknowledged the serious accusations and, consequently, resigned as a member of the Central Committee of the Party and as a Deputy to the National Assembly of People’s Power.
As part of the invariable ethics of the Cuban Revolution during these 65 years, the leadership of our Party and Government has never allowed, nor will it ever allow, the proliferation of corruption, simulation and insensitivity. Under this principle it will maintain, from legality, the permanent confrontation, transparency and zero tolerance to this type of manifestations that affect our people, aware that the higher the level of trust placed in a cadre, the greater the rigor and intransigence with which it will act in the face of facts of this nature.
As expected, the enemy will unleash a new propaganda campaign against Cuba, but our people, as we are accustomed to, will stand firmly by their Party and Government, faithful to the legacy of the Commander-in-Chief and the teachings of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz.