Cuban comedian and actor Ulises Toirac recently expressed a critical view regarding the newly revealed economic reforms by Miguel Díaz-Canel. In a thought-provoking statement, he questioned whether these measures signify the abandonment of any socialist principles.
Toirac took aim at Marino Murillo Jorge, labeling him "the tobacco czar" due to his leadership in Tabacuba. This is the same official who, 15 years ago, crafted the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines.
Murillo Jorge, once dubbed "the czar of the Guidelines," was the principal architect behind the ambitious reform initiative sanctioned in 2011 at the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba. Today, this initiative is hampered by flawed attempts to implement various government programs aimed at correcting economic distortions.
"The issue isn't temporary. Reforms are just that: reforms," Toirac stated on Facebook. He noted that those Guidelines, which were the result of a decade of study, "might have made a difference" had they been implemented in time, but they "arrive today."
Furthermore, Toirac highlighted that those who previously proposed solutions similar to today's were labeled as enemies or mercenaries, making the current announcement a difficult contradiction for its originators to uphold.
"If these measures align with the 'system,' they should have been the reforms back then. Even more 'bold' ones are likely to follow next month when these fail to prompt the necessary reaction," Toirac remarked, underscoring a logical trap for the regime.
He emphasized that opportunities for reform have been numerous, yet the current measures by the first secretary of the PCC "arrived late and reluctantly." Toirac concluded, "This makes me think that, given they authored both sets of reforms, today's won't succeed either."
The actor also critiqued Díaz-Canel's push to engage Cuban diaspora entrepreneurs, noting that this group is already "cautious," and that foreign investors from previous eras "ended up facing unpaid debts," left, and now "aren't considering a return."
The most severe assessment of the situation pointed to the true catalyst for these reforms: "The prospect of a potential social upheaval and its ramifications in the current climate is what's driving these reforms." He added, "People aren't merely weary or tired. People are DESPERATE."
Toirac's observations are grounded in constitutional reality: Article 4 of the 2019 Cuban Constitution declares the socialist system as irreversible, while Article 229 forbids amending this declaration.
If business autonomy, private investment, and the legalization of certain activities are incompatible with socialism, the regime appears to be enacting what its own Constitution prohibits.
Economist Pedro Monreal noted in May that Cuba has "missed the train of reforms seen in China and Vietnam," the same models Díaz-Canel referenced when introducing his program.
The saga of the Guidelines—approved in 2011, updated in 2016, acknowledged as a failure in 2023—suggests that Toirac's question is far from rhetorical.
Understanding the Implications of Cuba's New Economic Measures
What prompted Ulises Toirac's criticism of Díaz-Canel's reforms?
Ulises Toirac criticized the reforms due to their apparent contradiction with the socialist principles enshrined in Cuba's Constitution and their delayed implementation, which he believes will not succeed.
Who is Marino Murillo Jorge and what role did he play?
Marino Murillo Jorge, referred to as "the tobacco czar," was instrumental in creating the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines 15 years ago. He is a key figure in shaping Cuba's economic reforms.
Why are the current reforms seen as contradictory?
The current reforms are viewed as contradictory because they suggest a shift away from socialist policies, which Cuba's Constitution explicitly prohibits, raising questions about the regime's commitment to socialism.
What is the potential impact of these reforms on foreign investors?
Many foreign investors who previously engaged with Cuba suffered financial losses and are hesitant to return, casting doubt on the success of efforts to attract new investments under the current reforms.