This Tuesday, the Cuban government removed Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento from his position as General Secretary of the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC) after serving for over a decade as the leader of the island's only legally recognized labor union. The decision was made during a session of the CTC's National Council, according to the Communist Party of Cuba's (PCC) own website, which offered no explanation for his departure.
The official statement simply noted that Guilarte was "recognized for his performance" and that he would be assigned "other responsibilities." Stepping into his role is Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez, a 51-year-old biochemistry graduate with a background in party leadership at various levels. Colina recently served as the first secretary of the PCC in Villa Clara province, a position he has held for the past three years.
Colina, a member of the Central Committee and a deputy in the National Assembly, has been introduced by authorities as a political figure capable of fostering a "favorable political atmosphere and unity," aligning with the official rhetoric that demands complete adherence to Party goals. In addition to Guilarte's removal, the National Council chose to delay the XXII CTC Congress to mid-2026, citing the incomplete municipal and provincial conference process and the need for the union to focus in the coming months on reviewing the Draft Labor Code.
The council also appointed a Congressional Organizing Committee, led by Colina himself, and extended its mandate beyond the statutory six-month limit until the union meeting takes place. The meeting was overseen by Roberto Morales Ojeda, a Politburo member and Organization Secretary of the PCC Central Committee, who is managing the restructuring of union leadership amid significant labor discontent in key sectors such as health, education, and transportation.
Under Guilarte's leadership since 2013, the CTC has been criticized for its inaction in the face of a severe economic crisis and the worsening living conditions of the Cuban working class. The union's role has been largely limited to echoing Communist Party guidelines without genuinely representing the workers' interests. In recent months, Guilarte, with typical regime rhetoric, emphasized the necessity of "continuing to call" the Cuban people to not just passive "resistance" but to mobilize economic resources to gather reserves to address the issues, referring to the ongoing economic crisis on the island.
He also acknowledged the union's inability to solve "all problems," but believed that if workers see their representatives addressing their concerns, they will trust them.
The Future of Labor Unions in Cuba
Who is Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez?
Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez is the newly appointed General Secretary of the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC). He is a 51-year-old biochemistry graduate with experience in various levels of party leadership, most recently serving as the first secretary of the PCC in Villa Clara province.
Why was the XXII CTC Congress postponed?
The XXII CTC Congress was postponed to mid-2026 because the process of municipal and provincial conferences has not been completed, and the union needs to focus on consulting the Draft Labor Code in the upcoming months.
What has been the role of the CTC under Ulises Guilarte?
Under Ulises Guilarte's leadership, the CTC has been criticized for its lack of action in addressing the severe economic crisis and deteriorating living conditions of Cuban workers. The union has mainly followed the Communist Party's directives without genuinely representing workers' interests.