Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac recently shared his thoughts on Facebook regarding the trial of Alejandro Gil Fernández, the former Minister of Economy and Planning, and offered insights into the nation's political and economic landscape.
Toirac highlighted the entrenched corruption within Cuba, attributing it to a political framework that makes cases like Gil's the exception rather than a routinely audited and controlled occurrence.
He began by asserting that "in any society, power has the potential to corrupt," noting that globally, many high-ranking officials often become recipients of bribes when dealing with businesses, leaders, or social sectors.
"The mechanisms are conducive to the growth of corruption… 'One hand washes the other and both…'," he noted.
The actor criticized the concentration of power and the lack of oversight, particularly in Cuba, where since 1959, the official narrative has consistently emphasized "austerity, sacrifice, and equality."
"To make matters worse, there's a party above the State and the Constitution. It wields unchecked power and its decisions are unchallengeable," he questioned.
Despite these observations, Toirac contends that the level of corruption in Cuba warrants far more trials.
Finally, Ulises condemned the selective nature of Cuban justice, reminding that Gil's arrest only occurred after an unavoidable revelation made it impossible to ignore.
According to the comedian, "the betrayal is threefold: to the sustained rhetoric of austerity and sacrifice they have championed, to the State, and to peers who could find themselves on that bench knowing there are reasons."
On Tuesday, the trial for espionage against Alejandro Gil commenced in Havana, where he faces a potential life sentence. Gil, who was instrumental in implementing the Tarea Ordenamiento—a policy that triggered the current economic crisis—faces additional charges of embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and influence peddling in a second case involving over 20 individuals.
The secrecy surrounding his trial underscores the notion that judicial transparency is foreign to the system, with corruption remaining deeply rooted at the highest levels of power.
Last week, Ulises Toirac described the case as "a puzzle missing pieces," enveloped in silence and strategic timing.
His analysis extended beyond the judicial proceedings, focusing on the political context and how information is managed from the top: the lack of transparency and the strategic manipulation of what the government chooses to reveal or conceal.
As such, his statement became a critique of Cuba's power structures and its institutional control system, which lacks genuine mechanisms for accountability.
Toirac also assessed the social impact of the Gil case, concluding that rather than engender trust, it has reinforced widespread skepticism.
"It has sparked (as was predictable)… the popular sentiment that 'everyone does the same'," he warned.
Understanding the Alejandro Gil Trial in Cuba
What charges is Alejandro Gil facing?
Alejandro Gil is facing charges of espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and influence peddling.
Why is the trial of Alejandro Gil significant?
The trial is significant because it highlights the entrenched corruption in Cuba and the lack of transparency in its judicial system, raising questions about the accountability of high-ranking officials.
How does Ulises Toirac view the Cuban justice system?
Ulises Toirac criticizes the Cuban justice system for its selective enforcement and lack of transparency, suggesting that justice only occurs by chance when issues can no longer be ignored.