Comedian Ulises Toirac issued a daring challenge on Friday to Cuba's top government officials, urging them to relinquish their privileges, move into modest homes in impoverished neighborhoods like Palo Cagao or Old Havana, and travel by riquimbili, just as the everyday citizens do, without shortcuts or special benefits.
"I propose that as a gesture of solidarity (and to truly represent the people), the leaders should leave their luxurious homes and live in a typical residence... Perhaps in Palo Cagao, Old Havana, or La Lisa," Toirac suggested on his Facebook account.
Taking the idea further, Toirac specified the mode of transportation: "Leave your cars too, so you can travel the way we all do in Cuba. A riquimbili that jostles your thoughts with potholes from San Isidro to the Plaza might be great for structuring your thinking. Squeezed together and bouncing in and out."
Toirac added a stipulation that closes any loopholes: "And don't move to ordinary homes only to have them included in prioritized circuits for electricity and water, or have solar panels installed, or receive free food supplies... right?"
The comedian grounded his argument in the very Marxism that the regime claims to uphold: "Take your medicine: Marxism asserts that social being determines social consciousness... because their social consciousness (according to the classics) is not ours. We inhabit two different countries."
Toirac's challenge is not merely rhetorical but a call for consistency. "The point is for them to share the living conditions they claim are possible to endure and withstand," he wrote.
The post coincided with the visit of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa to the Güinera Defense Zone, where, according to the regime, they emphasized food production and water supply.
Images of the officials sparked a wave of mockery on social media. "All very overweight while asking the people to sacrifice. They have resolved nothing in 67 years and won't start now," commented one user.
Toirac's message is the most concrete expression of a growing critical trend among Cuban cultural figures in recent weeks.
Recently, singer-songwriter Raúl Torres urged the leaders to step out of their air-conditioned spaces and onto the streets. In late May, chronicler Cesario Navas criticized the elite for moving blindfolded in luxury cars, oblivious to the nation's collapse.
Toirac himself has been escalating his critique for months. At the end of June, he targeted those who speak of Cuban suffering "from the comfort of well-stocked homes, with their chosen temperature settings." In another reflection, he declared that Cuba is in an unsolvable maze.
The backdrop is an unprecedented structural crisis, with record electrical deficits, widespread food shortages, and a nation that imports 70% to 80% of its consumption, alongside drops of 81% in rice and 61% in egg production.
In January 2024, the regime approved an Ethics Code mandating leaders to "reject privileges and complacency." The images from Friday illustrate that this rule has left no visible impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ulises Toirac's Challenge to Cuban Leaders
What did Ulises Toirac propose to Cuban leaders?
Ulises Toirac challenged Cuban leaders to give up their privileges, live in regular neighborhoods, and use riquimbili for transportation like ordinary citizens.
How did Toirac criticize the current Cuban leadership?
Toirac criticized the leadership for living in luxury while the public endures hardships, emphasizing the disconnect between their experiences and those of the average Cuban.
Why is Toirac's challenge significant?
The challenge highlights the hypocrisy and lack of empathy of the Cuban leadership, urging them to experience firsthand the realities faced by everyday citizens.