Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the country should "immediately" focus on transforming its economic and social model, AP reported on March 2.

Cuban authorities listed the need to boost food production and solar energy generation, resize the state apparatus, and increase business' and municipalities' autonomy so local authorities manage foreign direct investment, partnerships with state and private sector enterprises and investments from Cuban exiles. The statements came as the United States has increased economic pressure on the island by halting Venezuelan oil shipments in January and threatening to impose tariffs and other economic sanctions on countries that ship crude to the island. Amid growing concerns about a humanitarian crisis, the U.S. Treasury on Feb. 25 authorized the sale of oil to Cuban private-sector players and citizens, but not to the government.