During a special session on Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his openness to criticism as he addressed the National Assembly. This declaration coincided with the parliament's ratification of a package of 176 economic and social measures. The statement, captured on video by Cuban TV and circulated widely on social media, prompted a wave of sarcastic and outraged responses from Cubans who pointed out the glaring contradiction: the regime has imprisoned over 1,200 individuals for doing just that—voicing criticism.
One comment succinctly captured the sentiment: "But there are people in jail for saying what everyone knows. Is criticism selective?"
Other users were equally forthright. "Criticism leads to jail," wrote one. "Anyone who criticizes you ends up imprisoned. You know it," another noted. "If criticism means getting beaten and serving 7-8 years in prison, you're not very receptive to it," a third user quipped.
Contradictions in Political Rhetoric
The inconsistency isn't just verbal. According to Prisoners Defenders, Cuba recorded 1,281 political prisoners in May 2026, the highest number documented to date. Hundreds of these individuals were jailed for critical posts on social media. Cases like Mayelín Rodríguez Prado, sentenced to 15 years for broadcasting protests live on Facebook, or Félix Daniel Pérez Ruiz, who received a five-year sentence for a critical post, highlight the grievances expressed to Díaz-Canel in the comments.
Some users recalled that the openness now touted as a solution was long punished as dissent. "Many of us had these ideas long ago, and when we tried to express them, we were ignored, censored, imprisoned. Now, those very ideas are supposedly what will save the nation," one Cuban wrote.
Another user pointed out what many see as the minimum condition for any reconciliation: "The most crucial step for the country, government, people, and Cubans abroad to reconcile is yet to be announced: the release of political prisoners."
The Nature of Parliamentary "Debate"
The approval process for these measures highlighted the nature of Cuba's parliamentary "debate." The package was announced by Díaz-Canel on June 12, approved by the Communist Party's Central Committee on Wednesday, and ratified by the Assembly on Thursday—all within a week. Raúl Castro's participation via videoconference was seen as political endorsement from the historic leader. "The Assembly where they are silent and only discuss what the Castro family wants," summarized one user.
In his speech, Díaz-Canel urged citizens: "Trust, but demand. Accompany us, but scrutinize us." He acknowledged that "there are obstacles that don't come from outside or from blockades" and that "resistance alone isn't enough," phrases some interpreted as a belated acknowledgment of the model's failure. "Trump has them fainting and begging for capitalism, oh how they told us wealth was evil," another Cuban remarked.
Economic Context and Irony
The irony of the presidential invitation is exacerbated by the economic context. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projects a 6.5% decline in Cuba's GDP for 2026, with a cumulative contraction of 10.3% over 2025-2026, marking the deepest crisis since the Special Period. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights reported 332 repressive actions in May alone, including arbitrary detentions and threats against critics.
Economist Pedro Monreal described the package as "belated pragmatism," while opposition leader Manuel Cuesta Morúa termed it "belated Chinese reforms." Meanwhile, Díaz-Canel concluded his Assembly address with a phrase his critics saw as encapsulating the contradiction: "We are not abandoning socialism."
Understanding Cuba's Political Landscape
What are the recent economic and social measures in Cuba?
The Cuban parliament recently ratified a package of 176 economic and social measures aimed at reforming the country's struggling economy. The specifics of these measures are yet to be fully detailed to the public.
How many political prisoners are currently in Cuba?
As of May 2026, there are 1,281 political prisoners in Cuba, according to the organization Prisoners Defenders. This is the highest number recorded to date.
Why are people critical of Díaz-Canel's openness to criticism?
People are skeptical of Díaz-Canel's statement because the Cuban regime has a history of imprisoning individuals for expressing criticism, leading many to see his openness as contradictory and insincere.