Cuban-American artist Coco Fusco has issued a stern warning about the dire situation in Cuba, asserting that the regime is on the brink of collapse, even though the exact path forward remains uncertain.
In an interview with CiberCuba, Fusco delved into the island's deep-seated crisis, contextualizing it within her curatorial work on political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. His artwork will be showcased in the exhibition "States of Confinement: The Relational Art of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara," set to open on May 28 at the Galería Metropolitana in Mexico City.
Cuba's Uncertain Future
"Cuba can't continue as it is without undergoing some form of transformation. I'm not sure what shape that change will take or where it will lead," Fusco remarked, dismissing the Venezuelan model as a direct analogy for Cuba's potential future.
Fusco, whose work has been displayed at prestigious venues such as MoMA, the Venice Biennale, and MACBA, highlighted a crucial structural distinction between the two nations. "While Venezuela endured 27 years under Chavismo, Cuba has been under its current regime for over 70 years," she noted.
Economic Realities and GAESA's Influence
Fusco pointed out another significant difference: the presence of a genuine private sector in Venezuela, which could be revitalized post-transition—a possibility she argues doesn't exist in Cuba. "In Venezuela, despite Maduro's control, there was still a private sector that could be revived. In Cuba, the so-called private sector is essentially GAESA, the business conglomerate of the Armed Forces, dressed in business attire but essentially the government," she explained.
Regarding the regime's ability to sustain itself, Fusco was unequivocal: "The state lacks the human, technological, or financial resources to support the country for much longer."
The Prospect of Pillaging and Escape
Fusco speculates that one possible scenario is that of plundering and fleeing, a pattern observed in other dictatorships throughout history. "The uncertainty lies in whether they will follow the path of other dictators by looting the country's resources and leaving the population destitute," she cautioned.
She referenced reports about GAESA's overseas funds. "Recent publications suggest that GAESA holds $18 billion in reserves outside Cuba. For whom is this money intended? I doubt it will be used for the Cuban people or for rebuilding the country," she said.
Leaked financial documents, as reported by the Miami Herald, reveal that GAESA operates as an unsupervised parallel bank, with deposits exceeding $14.5 billion in international banks, surpassing the reserves of nations like Panama, Uruguay, or Costa Rica.
Fusco was candid about the likely fate of these assets. "I believe this wealth will remain with the military, and when they leave, they'll take it all, leaving Cubans with nothing," she asserted.
Art and Activism in Mexico
The upcoming exhibition in Mexico, opening on May 28, features works by Otero Alcántara created before his imprisonment and a collective project based on instructions he sends from prison. Essentially, seven Cuban artists interpreted the descriptions of drawings he makes while incarcerated, which he cannot physically send out.
Otero Alcántara, who was arrested during the July 11, 2021 protests and sentenced to five years in prison, staged an eight-day hunger strike in April this year after receiving death threats from State Security agents. He still has 60 days left to serve in his sentence.
Understanding Cuba's Crisis and Future
What did Coco Fusco say about the future of Cuba?
Coco Fusco stated that Cuba cannot continue in its current state without some form of change, although she is uncertain about the specifics of that change.
How does GAESA influence the Cuban economy?
GAESA, the business conglomerate of the Cuban Armed Forces, controls much of the so-called private sector in Cuba, effectively acting as a government entity rather than a true private enterprise.
What is the significance of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara's exhibition in Mexico?
The exhibition in Mexico showcases Otero Alcántara's works created before his imprisonment and includes a project where artists interpret his prison drawings, highlighting his ongoing influence and activism.