Cuba’s COVID-19 Vaccines: An Interview with President Díaz-Canel

March 24, 2026 Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor Health

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has highlighted his country’s domestically produced COVID-19 vaccines, signaling a potential alternative approach to pandemic response amid global disparities in vaccine access. The president’s comments, made during an unspecified discussion, come as Cuba seeks to demonstrate its scientific capabilities and offer a model distinct from those employed by wealthier nations.

According to UN News, Díaz-Canel contrasted Cuba’s response to the pandemic with the dynamics of neoliberalism, asserting that the coronavirus “does not favour ‘richest one per cent’.” This statement underscores a broader critique of global economic structures and their impact on public health equity.

Cuba developed its own COVID-19 vaccines, including Abdala and Soberana, and has actively promoted their employ both domestically and internationally. The development of these vaccines represents a significant achievement for Cuba’s biotechnology sector, which has a long history of producing pharmaceuticals for both domestic use and export. BlackPast.org notes that Díaz-Canel, born in 1960, has overseen Cuba’s response to the pandemic as president.

Whereas details regarding the specific discussion where Díaz-Canel made his comments remain limited, the emphasis on Cuban-made vaccines reflects a national strategy of self-reliance in healthcare. This approach has been particularly relevant given the economic challenges Cuba faces, including U.S. Sanctions that have limited access to essential medical supplies and technologies.

Amnesty International has previously called on Cuban authorities to guarantee press freedom, particularly during the COVID-19 era, raising concerns about restrictions on information and independent reporting. This context suggests a complex interplay between public health measures and civil liberties within Cuba’s response to the pandemic.

Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, reported on tackling the epidemic in a manner similar to the country’s response to COVID-19, but provided no further details.