After three days of analysis and debate on critical issues facing the country, as well as the approval of important laws that will modernize Cuba’s body of law, the Fifth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of People's Power’s Ninth Legislature came to a close, yesterday May 16, with the presence of Army General and leader of the Revolution, Raúl Castro Ruz, and Party First Secretary and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

In his closing remarks at the Assembly, President Díaz-Canel noted that, amidst a difficult situation, work continues on priority issues including the recovery of the Cuban peso as the foundation of the country’s financial system, reducing inflation, ensuring the stability of the National Electric System, attention to persons and communities in situations of vulnerability and transformation of the state enterprise system.

He emphasized the determination of the Cuban people, who criticize what we do wrong or don't do, daily, but filled plazas and avenues across the island on May Day to reaffirm their support for the Revolution and commitment to our socialist project, stating, “We have said it here, at the foot of the Memorial to José Martí and in all the country’s plazas. Along with Raúl and the heroic Centennial Generation, we reaffirmed on May Day that yes, we could; yes, we can, and will always be able.”

This is not a slogan, but a conviction that will always be accompanied by the principle of doing everything with the people and for the people, he emphasized.

Among laws approved during the sessions were those addressing Protection of Literary and Artistic Creation, as well as Cultural and Natural Heritage, plus a new Penal Code, which, within its novel aspects, includes definitions of infractions and illicit acts that affect the radioelectric spectrum, the environment, and natural heritage, while the severity of sanctions for acts related to economic or administrative corruption was increased.

A law on the Protection of Constitutional Rights was also debated and approved, establishing a court procedure to take action in the event of damages suffered by individuals, as a result of violations on the part of state bodies or non-governmental entities, their directors, officials, or employees. (Granma)