Cuban comedian and commentator Ulises Toirac addressed remarks made by Miguel Díaz-Canel to the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo on Monday. In those statements, the Cuban leader denied that the country is implementing capitalist reforms. Toirac responded with a statement that challenges the ideological framework of the regime: "Economic measures are neither capitalist nor socialist: they are either smart or foolish."
During the interview, Díaz-Canel declared, "There are no capitalist reforms," although he acknowledged "concessions" to the private sector, portraying them as part of the socialist construction rather than a shift in the model.
Toirac rejected this ideological dichotomy, shifting the debate to the practical effectiveness of the measures. He suggested that the pertinent question is not whether a measure is capitalist or socialist, but whether it is effective or not.
The Controversy Over Economic Reforms
For several months, Toirac has been questioning the package of 176 economic measures approved by the government in June 2026. This package includes private banking, private exchange houses, the removal of the 100-worker cap for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and increased openness to foreign investment.
When the regime announced this package, Toirac described it as "purely capitalist in nature" and warned that it was "too little, too late." He added that "they won't work today either."
He also summed up his skepticism in June with a colloquial phrase: "They only changed the collar," indicating that the changes were superficial and not substantial. He warned that the reforms might end up benefiting Communist Party officials and military personnel more than the general population.
Criticism of Price Controls
On Monday, in addition to his response to Díaz-Canel, Toirac criticized the price caps imposed by the government. He described the official campaign against "abusive prices" as a "witch hunt" and ineffective, arguing that such restrictions push products into the black market and exacerbate inflation.
Toirac's stance is not an isolated one. Economist Pedro Monreal warned in August 2026 that the 176 measures "only served to demonstrate" their limitations, echoing criticisms about the structural inadequacies of the reforms.
Even Díaz-Canel himself admitted in July that the price caps had led to product shortages and diversions to illegality. He also acknowledged "fear of the growth of private capital," revealing the internal tension within the government regarding its own reforms.
Ongoing Economic Challenges
By August 22, the regime reported that 134 of the 176 measures already had legal backing, equivalent to 76.1% of the package. However, scarcity and economic crisis remain the everyday reality for Cubans.
While the government insists that its reforms aim to "defend and advance socialist construction," Toirac maintains that the ideological debate is a distraction: what truly matters is whether the measures solve or exacerbate the population's problems.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Measures
What are the key criticisms of Cuba's economic reforms?
Critics like Ulises Toirac argue that the reforms are either ineffective or superficial, failing to address the core issues and potentially benefiting party and military officials more than the general public.
How has the Cuban government responded to the criticism of price controls?
The government has acknowledged some of the negative consequences of price controls, such as product shortages and illegal markets, but continues to defend its measures as necessary for socialist construction.
What changes were included in the 176 economic measures announced in 2026?
The measures include the introduction of private banking, private exchange houses, the removal of worker caps for MSMEs, and increased openness to foreign investment.