Cuban poet, improviser, and literary researcher Juan Carlos García Guridi took to Facebook this week to share his latest work titled "PREGUNTO" ("I Ask"). This poem, composed in décimas, delivers a powerful critique of the eroding dignity, loss of freedom, and declining quality of life in Cuba, resonating deeply with his followers as it mirrors the collective distress.
The poem was posted on Wednesday, just days ahead of July 26, a significant date when the Cuban regime marks the anniversary of the Moncada Barracks attack—celebrating the 73rd National Rebellion Day, this year tied to the "Year of Fidel Castro's Centenary."
Right from the opening lines, García Guridi wields his question as a weapon: "What have they done to us? I ask / that day by day we lose / dignity, joy / and can't find the essence / of salt, what serious matter / has divided us?"
The Fight for Freedom Through Verse
As the poem unfolds, it forcefully demands freedom: "I ask: Don't we deserve / freedom at last? / We're just a step away, / that's the only truth."
One of the most cited stanzas by readers, which inspired the headline of this article, is: "After January and after / July, where do we go? / Where do we stand / that everything spins in reverse?"—a clear reference to politically symbolic dates in the Cuban calendar.
A Voice of Defiance and Anger
The poem concludes with a vivid image of pent-up rage: "I ask: What kind of life / is this life that kills us? / A speech nobody follows / but everyone fears... / I am the anguish, the AKM, / the fury unleashed."
Born in Batabanó in 1968, García Guridi is a prominent figure in Cuban popular poetry and décima research, with over ten published works, including "Décimas habaneras del siglo XX" (1999), "La poesía popular en Cuba" (1999), and "Salvar la décima: El encabalgamiento" (2003). The décima espinela he uses in "PREGUNTO" is a traditional Cuban form known for its social critique and political resistance.
Poetry as a Mirror of Crisis
This isn't the first time in 2026 that the poet has turned to verse to capture the nation's crisis. In May, he released a viral humorous décima about the country's plight, ending with "and if Donald Trump doesn't come / I'll go find him myself." In June, he shared the sonnet "Cuentan," criticizing unfulfilled promises and the nation's stagnation.
The poem sparked a wave of reactions from his audience. One reader commented: "You are unique. Your verses reveal so many truths that sometimes they astonish, sometimes they shake." Another noted: "Oh God, what suffering in those verses! We all ask ourselves questions every day. But no one has an answer, only uncertainty is present in our lives." A third was more blunt: "The most brutal torture inflicted on a human being is being applied in our country. We have nothing left."
The poem emerges during one of Cuba's most severe humanitarian crises. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights estimates that 89% of the population lives in extreme poverty, while the Food Monitor Program reports that 96.91% lack adequate food access. Power outages persist for 25 to 32 hours daily in many areas, with some provinces like Matanzas experiencing over 72 hours without electricity. The informal exchange rate for the dollar soared to 670 pesos since June 2026, compared to 435 pesos in December 2025.
In this context, García Guridi's questions aren't mere rhetoric; they echo the concerns of millions of Cubans who, as another reader noted in the comments, ask themselves "daily" the same questions "without finding an answer."
Understanding the Impact of García Guridi's Poem
Who is Juan Carlos García Guridi?
Juan Carlos García Guridi is a Cuban poet, improviser, and researcher known for his work in popular poetry and the décima form. He has written over ten books and is recognized for his social and political critiques through verse.
What is the significance of the poem "PREGUNTO"?
"PREGUNTO" is a poignant poem that reflects the collective anxiety and struggles faced by Cubans under the current regime. It questions the loss of dignity, freedom, and the deteriorating living conditions in Cuba.
How has the audience reacted to García Guridi's poem?
The poem has elicited strong reactions from readers, who have praised it for its truthfulness and ability to articulate the widespread suffering and unanswered questions prevalent in Cuba today.