In a powerful Facebook post, Cuban comedian and actor Ulises Toirac expressed his thoughts on the severe crisis plaguing Cuba, attributing the blame squarely to the regime's failure to foresee and address the worsening energy crisis that is punishing the people as summer begins.
"Every year there's a summer. And they couldn't even see that coming..." Toirac begins, delivering a scathing analysis of the energy debacle that is shaking the nation.
The Heat Intensifies as the Energy Crisis Worsens
Toirac warns that the hottest months have yet to arrive and the electricity situation is already unbearable. "June isn’t over, and the relentless power outages are creating extremely harsh conditions for people," he notes.
His critique of the regime is pointed and uncompromising.
A Regime Detached from Reality
The comedian portrays those in power as "rulers who have no clue what it's like to live like this," surrounded by a circle of followers who applaud "absolutely capitalist" measures while presenting them as "socialist achievements."
The immediate target is the National Assembly, which recently approved a package of 176 economic measures, including private banking and currency exchanges, and the conversion of state enterprises into commercial companies. Toirac sarcastically questions, "What on earth are they having for snacks at that Assembly?"
Warnings of Growing Social Unrest
He highlights the worsening living conditions and notes that the leadership is merely trying to "buy time with the Northern neighbors and hope they loosen the noose."
The actor points to an increase in public protests, clarifying that people haven't lost their fear. "They're just fed up with being ignored in their misery, with the mockery of seeing a bodyguard, with no other official position, speaking on behalf of the country," he writes, directly referencing "the Crab."
Toirac critiques the true structure of power in Cuba, pointing out that "the reins have never been held by the public government but by the hidden one."
Cuba on the Brink of Social Explosion
His reflection comes at a time of heightened social tension. The Electric Union reports deficits exceeding 2,000 MW during the nighttime peak, with power cuts lasting over 24 hours in Havana.
Protests like banging pots and burning tires in San Miguel del Padrón, La Güinera, and Carlos III last Friday are part of a wave of demonstrations that are spreading across Havana daily. The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,311 protests in May alone.
Amidst this backdrop, Toirac issues a stark warning about the potential for a new social explosion: "An intensification of protests leading to a demonstration like July 11th will put the nomenclature in a dilemma of 'giving the order' under the watchful eye of the U.S. government, which also faces pressure to act."
His closing remarks are directed at the regime's security forces: "Be careful with the decisions made. Watch your reactions. You're playing with matches in a powder keg, and the temperature is high."
And his final message to the police and repressors: "The person shouting is your neighbor, your friend, your relative. They are not a mercenary worm. Look at their stomach and their arms."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Social Unrest
What is the main cause of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is largely attributed to the regime's inability to plan for and manage the energy sector effectively, leading to severe power outages and inadequate infrastructure.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The Cuban government has taken measures such as approving economic reforms and trying to engage diplomatically with the United States, but these actions have been met with skepticism and criticism from the public.
What are Ulises Toirac's views on the Cuban leadership?
Ulises Toirac criticizes the Cuban leadership for being detached from the realities faced by ordinary citizens, accusing them of failing to manage the country's issues effectively and merely attempting to buy time with international neighbors.