The renowned Cuban opera singer Ulises Aquino Guerra has once again spoken out forcefully, criticizing the prevailing system in Cuba and drawing a clear distinction between the original Cuban Revolution and the path taken by its subsequent leaders. "The Revolution was not a failure. The failure was the economic and social system imposed with the approval of most Cubans," he declared on his Facebook profile.
In his post, Aquino defended the original spirit of the 1959 Revolution as a historic moment filled with hope and collective participation. He recalled how even the bourgeoisie joined in the fight to overthrow Batista's dictatorship. However, he clarified that the revolutionary project was betrayed by those who managed it from positions of power.
The Betrayal of the Revolutionary Dream
The artist, considered one of the most respected figures in Cuban opera, condemned the imposition of a flawed economic and social system that saw a widespread forfeiture of fundamental rights under the promise of a better future that never materialized. "The enemy blockade... has been the perfect excuse to justify what is real and what is not," he harshly criticized, challenging the official narrative that blames the U.S. embargo as the sole cause of Cuba's collapse.
For Aquino, who founded the community project Ópera de la Calle, the true failure manifests in the poverty, alienation, and silence forced upon a citizenry no longer feeling represented. "The Cuban people know they are not represented today; they speak and make speeches in their name, but their voice is drowned in rampant poverty that prevents them from living. Yes, living," he denounced.
A Call for Genuine Revolution
The singer pushed further by describing the current political model as a structure fearful of truly free citizens. "Because it is harder to govern truly free men," he wrote, suggesting that the resistance to change stems from a fear of losing power.
In his post, Ulises Aquino called for a "true Revolution," one that invites dignified living, listens to the people, respects the right to dissent, and does not infringe on citizens' rights in the name of national security. He proposed an inclusive path of transformation, free from ideological constraints, prioritizing full freedom, human rights, and the country's reconstruction using the ingenuity and talent of Cubans both on and off the Island.
"There will be no foreign investment, for reasons we all know and the accumulated debts. Only the collaboration and entrepreneurship of all Cubans can pull us out of this situation. Of course, with full freedom and rights. With respect for all forms of thought and expression," he emphasized.
Consistent Criticism of the Regime
Ulises Aquino's critical stance is not new. Last April, he published another message titled "Let's Talk About SOLUTIONS," in which he denounced the Cuban government's inability to solve the country's severe problems: power outages, economic crisis, and widespread disillusionment. He then warned that without a profound ideological and political change, the nation would have no future.
Aquino urged the complete liberation of productive forces, free from the constraints of ideological conservatism and the half-measures of reformism. In his view, the Cuban crisis is not only economic but also affects the demography, sociology, and psychology of the people. "They have no present and much less will they see themselves in the future of our land," he lamented at that time.
His criticism also extends to the Cuban political elite, whom he accuses of sustaining a costly and inefficient bureaucracy, clinging to power out of fear, and using the people as an ideological shield. He has consistently advocated for a revolution of thought and respect for the citizens' right to express their discontent.
A Legacy of Artistic and Civic Commitment
Born in Havana in 1963, Ulises Aquino Guerra is one of the most prestigious Cuban baritones of his generation, having performed across Europe and America and collaborated with figures like Montserrat Caballé, Plácido Domingo, and Vicente Sardinero. In 2006, he founded Ópera de la Calle, an innovative cultural project with a strong community base that combined opera, zarzuela, rock, and Cuban rhythms, involving over 200 artists, adults, and children alike.
However, his initiative faced backlash from the government. In 2012, the Cuban government revoked his licenses to operate the restaurant El Cabildo, the project's main venue, exposing the state's distrust of autonomous projects with significant social impact. Since then, Aquino has been one of the most coherent and courageous voices in the Cuban cultural scene, expressing his disappointment without ambiguity about the country's direction and defending every citizen's right to live with dignity, choose, dissent, and build their own destiny.
"I don't want to die the way I lived," he declared in a previous publication. "I want to live peacefully and be able to enjoy my children and grandchildren, who in the end, are my greatest work."
Today, his voice resonates once more, demanding a different Cuba, a Cuba for all.
Understanding Ulises Aquino's Critique of the Cuban Regime
What is Ulises Aquino's main criticism of the Cuban regime?
Ulises Aquino criticizes the current Cuban regime for betraying the original revolutionary ideals by imposing a flawed economic and social system that has led to poverty and alienation, while using the U.S. embargo as a scapegoat.
What does Ulises Aquino propose for Cuba's future?
Aquino proposes an inclusive transformation that prioritizes full freedom, human rights, and reconstruction of the country through the talent of Cubans, both on and off the Island, free from ideological constraints.
How has Ulises Aquino contributed to Cuban culture?
Ulises Aquino is a celebrated baritone who founded Ópera de la Calle, a cultural project that combined opera and Cuban rhythms, involving over 200 artists and fostering community engagement.