This past Wednesday, Miguel Díaz-Canel took to Facebook to share a segment from his radio show, "Shared Criterion," where he urged government officials to heed the public's voice and embrace the "concept of public servants." The Cuban people's reaction was swift and unambiguous, reflecting a deep-seated frustration with a narrative they deem recycled over decades without tangible outcomes.
The excerpt, originating from the fourth installment of the program aired by Radio Rebelde on November 4, focused on the ongoing water supply crisis. Díaz-Canel highlighted that the "issue is multifaceted and thus requires a comprehensive response," advocating for the creation of a "virtuous circle" that includes listening to the populace, engaging with them, and actively seeking solutions.
"We must listen to the people, visit them, build trust during these visits, evaluate, and strive to find solutions; taking on the responsibility and adopting the public servant mindset," Díaz-Canel articulated on his official page.
Nevertheless, Cubans were unimpressed by the repeated assurances of the president appointed by Raúl Castro. One Cuban retorted, "That's the issue. You always believe. 1-I Believe, 2-I Believe, 3-I Believe. It's Not About Believing, It's About (DOING)." Another echoed, "It's always the same speech, we must, we need to, we're going to, and in the end, NOTHING."
Other commentators were even more candid about the historical accumulation of unfulfilled promises: "We've been listening to you for 67 years, asking for trust and making promises you never keep. 67 years!" and "It's no longer a matter of listening; everything has been said and is publicly known among you leaders. It's time to stop the speeches. We've been listening for eight years, and in practice, there's nothing."
Some citizens further opined, "The biggest problem is that after listening, they just justify the problems and blame external situations"; "there are so many things you don't know from below, everything is painted beautifully for you, but it's all upside down," and "the solution isn't obvious statements but rather sanctioning and removing ineffective public servants and swiftly addressing issues with concrete actions."
In the same November 4 program, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the U.S. embargo does not excuse the negligence or indifference of officials towards the public, an admission that failed to quell the criticisms.
Despite Díaz-Canel's call for leaders to act as "public servants," the reality remains that the Communist Party (PCC) continues to shuffle positions without much transparency. Just this week, two gubernatorial resignations were reported in Cuba. Jorge Enrique Sutil Sarabia stepped down "from the position of provincial governor of Camagüey, after recognizing errors in his performance incompatible with his responsibilities," noted the brief official statement.
Additionally, Díaz-Canel approved "the cessation of functions" as provincial governor of Las Tunas for Yelenys Tornet Menéndez, "who made this request due to personal and family limitations preventing her from continuing in the role."
Understanding the Cuban Response to Leadership Promises
Why are Cubans frustrated with Díaz-Canel's statements?
Cubans express frustration because they feel Díaz-Canel's promises echo decades-old rhetoric without leading to actual improvements, resulting in a sentiment of disbelief and impatience for real action.
What did Díaz-Canel propose to solve the water crisis?
Díaz-Canel suggested a "virtuous circle" approach, which involves listening to the public, engaging with them directly, and seeking comprehensive solutions. However, this approach has not satisfied the public due to past unmet promises.
How has the Communist Party been handling leadership roles in Cuba?
The Communist Party continues to reassign officials without providing clear explanations, as evidenced by the recent resignation of two governors, which has contributed to public skepticism and dissatisfaction.