Cuba's Economic Development 1952 (Desarrollo Economico de Cuba)

In 1952 Gustavo Gutiérrez published this book while Technical Director at the Junta Nacional de Economia. In the introduction, Luis José Abado writes that, " the JNC began as the Junta Nacional de Guerra which fell into GG's lap in the mid to late 1940's and which he headed with surprising success even with scare resources and few employees. The present JNC is the blossoming of that first seed."

Mr. Abado believes that, "Cuba should be eternally in debt to multi talented Dr. Gutiérrez for his contributions as an economist, knowing well his past as a lawyer, politician, internationalist (professor of international law, University of Havana) and prolific writer" adding that, "this book represents just one of countless other works in uninterrupted succession by Gutiérrez which this prolific author crafts over a great range of thought and action: the creation of economic institutions lacking in Cuba so that it's economy may overcome this stage of Cuba's development, hurrying up, on the one hand, it's partial pubescent capitalism and avoiding, on the other hand, the dangers of abnormal and almost gigantic, decidedly super-capitalist, (monoculture) means of production."

Finally, we read in a footnote that since the coup of March 10, 1952 caught the author and the printing of this book by surprise, which had been written in commemoration of Cuba's 50th anniversary as a republic, the author wishes to express that, "the national economy, mother from whom all suckle, should reside above all political passions."

Urgency for National Census & Statistics 1949 ( Urgencia de los Censos y Estadisticas Nacionales)

The above newspaper article appeared in "El Mundo" on September 13, 1951. Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez was Technical Director of the Junta Nacional de Economia during the administration of President Carlos Prío Socarrás.  Dr. Gutiérrez was urging the Superior Tribunal of Elections (Tribunal Superior Electoral) to create a law establishing a new national census with related statistical data in preparation for the upcoming Census of 1952.

Below is a publication from the Junta Nacional de Economia from 1949 written/prepared by Gustavo Gutiérrez. He was Technical Director of that governmental agency at the time. Later he would become it's president. At this date the president of Cuba was Carlos Prio Socarras. I include the table of content (Indice) as well as the introduction by First Minister and President of the JNE, Manuel A. de Varona and a short explanation by Dr. Gutiérrez as to why the need for a new census.  The study consists of 140 odd pages. 

Gutiérrez reminds us that a modern nation is unable to develop, function properly or efficiently without adequate statistical data regarding it's demographics and it's economic and social progress. "Basic information on, employment, salaries, cost of living, family income, consumer purchasing power, etc. is lacking in Cuba, " he says, and adds, " we lack specific data regarding national production...We also lack statistics on taxation productivity and national, state, and municipal contributions and lack even more on personal income calculations and national rents...This problem grew worse during the  world war (WWII) over the national availability of food products and over our responsibilities and statistical deficiencies vis a vis the United Nations to supply proper statistical data regarding Cuba's social, cultural and economic development." He finally, stresses urgent legislation to solve all of these problems.

Gutiérrez Secretary of Justice 1933 (acceptance speech)

Gustavo Gutiérrez became Secretary of Justice on the 26th of June, 1933, a post he would unfortunately hold for roughly 47 days. He resigned 10 days before President Gerardo Machado was overthrown and sent into exile.  As a result the Liberal Party was absolved and it's members purged from public office.

It is interesting to note that in Gutiérrez's speech he mentions Del Vecchio, a renowned  fascist intellectual of the day, Henri Levy-Ullman, expert on the English Courts system and Benedetto Croce, Italy's most important 20th century Marxist intellectual. He also refers to Cuba's penal code as archaic and expresses his intent to modernize the justice system by, among other things, reducing sentences for certain crimes, re-evaluating the system of pardons, and adds, "...but without ever forgetting that criminal justice is not social vengeance but in the defense of society." 

For more information regarding the Liberal Party, the  political party Dr. Gutiérrez was a member of please see blog entry "La Ruta Nueva" 1937 which details Gutiérrez's vision for a new path for his political party.

Below is Gutiérrez's acceptance speech.

New Electoral Code (Nuevo Código Electoral) 1943

On May 31, 1943 the New Electoral Code was signed into law. It was created by Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez. Dr. Elio Fileno de Cardenas of the Electoral Law Comission of the Senate called the New Electoral Code of 1943 the "Gutiérrez Code." It was created to defend universal suffrage and promote the democratic process by codifying the electoral process, implementing a solid electoral system, organizing and making permanent the voting procedure and process, respectively, curbing voting irregularities and reducing voter fraud, etc.

New Tariff Reform (Reforma Arancelaria) 1958

On November 8, 1957 Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez traveled once more to Geneva and presented the above memorandum to the Contracting Parties, the 34 nations which had created the G.A.T.T. in 1947, warning of Cuba's urgent need for a new trade and tariff reform. This is an impressive and well articulated analysis of Cuba's then current state of economic crisis. For more information please see October '08 blog entries, "Cuba's Voice in Geneva and Petropolis" and "La Aventura Cubana."

This newsletter was published regularly by the Ministry of Economy (a.k.a. The National Board of Economy/Consejo Nacional de Economia). Gustavo Gutiérrez was the Minister-President from 1955 to 1959. For more information please see September '08 blog entry, "Gutiérrez Steps Down as Finance Minister."

Minister of Finance 1953 #1

This article appeared in "INFORMACION" newspaper in 1953 when Gustavo Gutiérrez accepted the post of Minister of Finance. To enlarge the article click on it. A rickety translation into English appears below;

"WIthout fearing any wrong doing, we dare say that his talents have placed him there. He's an individual with profound knowledge regarding matters of social, financial and fiscal concerns for quite some time now without any fanfare on his part. Moreover in an inexhaustible and highly efficient manner, he gives Cuba the best of his efforts and intelligence, developing a body of work that few in our country could equal at any time in our history. And we must keep in mind that upon analyzing his enormous achievements, which have always been sought after in times of great crisis in the offices he has held, he has always emerged triumphant, proving time and again that he was worthy of the trust placed in him.

An enemy of duplicity, a straight shooter, honest, thoughtful and always fair minded and composed, Gustavo Gutiérrez might well inscribe on his coat of arms this famous phrase: "animo et fide;" the courage to face any difficult situation and resolve it with faith in himself, in his capacity, in his fearlessness and his valuable character.

Convinced of the great constructive and organizational potential of this current Minister of Finance, we can rest assured that with a fistful of Gustavo Gutiérrezes, Cuba would magically emerge from all of the difficulties that are now standing in the way of her swift social and economic progress. He, from his high ranking position in government, is, almost single-handedly, with decisiveness and enthusiasm, rescuing, much to the satisfaction of all her citizens."

To read more about Gustavo Gutierrez as Finance Minister, why he accepted the post and why he resigned, please see blog post, "Gutierrez steps down as Finance Minister," September, 2008.

Minister of Finance 1953 #2

G.G. Obituary "Cuba Economica y FInanciera" 1959