Cuban activist Yamilka Lafita, known on social media as Lara Crofs, shared a profound reflection on social media this Sunday, where she reinterprets the propaganda phrase "The coming year will be a better year," a slogan repeated for years by the Havana regime.
Far from seeing it as a hollow slogan, Lafita transformed it into a cry of civic resistance, rooted in the suffering, dignity, and hope of Cubans who do not give up, as can be seen in his post on Facebook.
In her text, the activist, victims on numerous occasions of repression and harassment by the regime, reviews how that expression has been used since the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel took power in 2018, as a tool to sustain an official illusion that does not correspond with the reality of the country.
It denounces that the phrase has been used to gloss over a growing crisis and justify the inaction of those in power, while Cuba sinks into widespread precariousness.
"They say it from the privilege of those who do not stand in line, do not feel hunger, do not fear the police, and do not suffer power outages," she wrote clearly.
Throughout his reflection, he describes the symptoms of a structural crisis: uncontrollable inflation, shortages of food and medicine, collapse of basic services, power outages lasting over 20 hours in some provinces, and a massive migration that empties homes and fuels a sense of dislocation.
It also recalls the deterioration of the education and health systems, along with the repression that marked a before and after since the protests on November 27, 2020, and especially on July 11, 2021.
"The criminalization of dissent has replaced any form of dialogue or reform," Lafita stated, emphasizing that the institutionalization of fear has been a central tool of state control.
However, instead of resigning herself to the situation, the activist suggests reclaiming the slogan, asserting that it no longer belongs to the official discourse, but rather to the people who resist from hunger, darkness, prison, exile, or memory.
“We are going to make it our own,” he emphasized, calling upon mothers, the youth, the elderly, and an entire nation that stands strong despite adversities.
"The coming year will be a better one, but not because it is dictated by power, rather because it will be lifted by the people," he stated in one of the most powerful passages of the text.
Additionally, he concluded with an optimistic vision: this new year, he says, “will not be imposed: it will be conquered. It will not be a gift from power: it will be the result of courage, sacrifice, and truth.”
Finally, he closed his post with a quote from opposition leader Oswaldo Payá: “Freedom is not a dream, it is the path.”
Due to her activism, Lafita has been harassed by the regime on several occasions. In April, for example, she reported receiving death threats aimed at preventing her from leaving her home in Havana.
He shared on Facebook screenshots of intimidating messages sent from a pro-government account with an overtly violent tone.
"Remember that anyone can have an accident... Fire and death to the worms," says one of the messages, which also insults the activist and questions her right to reside and express herself freely in Cuba.
Recently, she reported a new escalation in the harassment she has been experiencing, after the intercom at her home was vandalized and a State Security agent directly threatened her if she did not comply with a summons lacking clear grounds.
The case generated expressions of support within Cuban activism and was linked by other opposition women to a systematic campaign of intimidation by the regime against critical voices.
The attack on the goalkeeper left Crofs without visibility to identify who is at his doorstep, which he considers a serious breach of his security, in a context where he has already been subjected to harassment.
Although there are at least eight similar goalkeepers in his squad, only his was destroyed. "I am blind," she wrote.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Current Situation in Cuba and the Activism of Yamilka Lafita
Who is Yamilka Lafita, known as Lara Crofs?
Yamilka Lafita, also known as Lara Crofs, is a Cuban activist who has denounced the repression and harassment by the regime in Cuba. She is known for her humanitarian work and her activism in favor of human rights, as well as being a critical voice against the Cuban government. Despite threats and harassment, Lafita continues to advocate for the freedom and well-being of her people.
What meaning does Yamilka Lafita give to the phrase "The coming year will be better"?
Yamilka Lafita redefines the phrase "The coming year will be a better year" as a cry for civic resistance. Rather than viewing it as a hollow slogan of the regime, the activist transforms it into a call for hope and dignity of the Cuban people who strive for real change, asserting that the better year will result from the effort and courage of the people, not from those in power.
What problems is Cuba currently facing according to the activist Lara Crofs?
Cuba is facing a structural crisis with symptoms such as uncontrollable inflation, shortages of food and medicine, the collapse of basic services, and prolonged blackouts. Additionally, there is a deterioration in health and education systems, state repression, and massive migration. Lafita denounces that the official phrase "The coming year will be a better one" merely glosses over this crisis.
What has the repression against Yamilka Lafita by the Cuban regime been like?
Yamilka Lafita has been a victim of death threats, harassment, police surveillance, and hacking of her social media accounts. She has denounced these repressive practices, which include police cordons and direct threats to prevent her from leaving her home. Lafita remains resolute in her decision not to leave Cuba or remain silent in the face of injustices.
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