Recent events have escalated rapidly in Cuba, with the nation's internal situation deteriorating further without a single effective solution in sight to genuinely aid the people, expressed a Cuban who identifies as a sailor on Facebook.
Frank Montada Rodríguez shared an in-depth critique regarding Cuba's current state, arguing that the government's poor choices have inflicted more harm on the country than the U.S. embargo itself. He meticulously enumerates the government’s major failures, including the 2021 monetary reordering, banking policies, the ongoing power crisis, water shortages, waste accumulation, rampant inflation, and unpaid foreign debt.
"The infamous monetary restructuring was, and continues to be, a complete disaster. The banking system, another utter failure," writes Montada Rodríguez. He adds that the lack of connectivity has turned electronic payments into an additional burden for the populace, despite promises from the ETECSA president that foreign currency revenue would be used to improve communications.
Regarding electricity, Montada Rodríguez notes, "The power situation offers nothing new; it worsens daily, and there's no sign of improvement. The upcoming winter looks bleak," referencing the prolonged blackouts.
"The country is unsanitary; the waste collection situation is beyond words, with numerous viruses circulating that severely impact the population," he laments. Days earlier, the National Institute of Water Resources admitted that 2.14 million people—27.4% of the population—were experiencing disruptions in their potable water supply.
Economically, Montada Rodríguez warns of the dollar's rising prominence in the informal market, with the peso's value sliding toward 900 and 1,000 pesos. The dollar surpassed the 850 peso mark for the first time last Monday, setting a historic high. Official inflation reached 28.44% year-on-year in September, with food prices increasing by 42.66% during that period.
He recalls Marino Murillo's caution to the National Assembly in December 2020: "If we fall into runaway inflation, we have no way out." Montada Rodríguez concludes, "Inflation is no longer runaway; it is rampant."
"Why haven't the catastrophic errors and decisions been corrected? Why are we in such a suffocating situation, with the country, economy, and population in such a deplorable state to which we have been led? And still, there is no truthful solution to all the visible destruction," he questions.
The author also highlights the external debt as a sign of failure: Cuba has received debt forgiveness amounting to tens of billions of dollars—including around $29 billion in Soviet-era debt forgiven by Russia in 2015—without fulfilling subsequent payment agreements.
On the issue of repression, Montada Rodríguez points out that "there is a high political prison population that is also unacknowledged," and "recognized human rights are being violated." As of October 1, 2026, Prisoners Defenders counted 1,372 political prisoners in Cuba.
While acknowledging the embargo's existence and impact, Frank Montada Rodríguez clarifies, "The errors and decisions made, without the wise act of rectifying them, have far exceeded the damage caused by it."
"In the maritime world, there is a saying: A KNOWN ERROR IS NOT AN ERROR; it’s crystal clear. If we know it exists, IT MUST BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY because the consequences are dire and incalculable. We have been witnessing and feeling this harsh reality for a long time. Why not finally steer toward the correct path, knowing that this regime offers no more solutions? Why continue delaying the decision to embrace the Martian thought and work, to finally fulfill the dream of the Master of Masters, the most universal of all Cubans, our APOSTLE Don José Julián Martí Pérez? A HUMANIST AND DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC FOR ALL AND FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. This is my opinion," he concluded.
Understanding Cuba's Political and Economic Challenges
What are the main criticisms Frank Montada Rodríguez has about the Cuban government?
Montada Rodríguez criticizes the Cuban government for poor decisions that have caused more harm than the U.S. embargo. He highlights failures such as the disastrous monetary restructuring, ineffective banking policies, the power crisis, water shortages, waste issues, rampant inflation, and unpaid foreign debt.
How has the economic situation in Cuba worsened according to the article?
The economic situation in Cuba has deteriorated with the dollar gaining ground in the informal market and the peso devaluing toward 900 and 1,000 pesos. Inflation has surged, particularly with food prices rising sharply, and the official inflation rate has reached 28.44% year-on-year as of September.
What does Frank Montada Rodríguez conclude about the inflation in Cuba?
Montada Rodríguez concludes that inflation in Cuba is no longer just runaway but has become rampant, indicating a severe economic crisis that lacks a clear solution.