Ulises Toirac strikes against the luxuries of the heirs of the political elite in Cuba: "Impunity"

The comedian Ulises Toirac, known for his critical reflections on the realities of the island, has shared a strong opinion about the privileges and opulence surrounding the descendants of Cuban government leaders.

Its extensive post— which has gone viral on Facebook— highlighted the inconsistency between the Cuban political discourse, which glorifies austerity and sacrifice, and the lavish lifestyles displayed by some descendants of the ruling elite, such as Miguel Díaz-Canel's stepson and Sandro Castro, Fidel Castro's grandson.

"The annoyance with the stepson of... and with the grandson of... is not envy nor an 'enemy media operation to harm the Revolution,'" Toirac began, referring to the government's usual justifications in response to criticism.

“It is simply that the rulers of this country, due to historical demands from their own party, which they wield like a thirsty guillotine against all others (except for the leadership, and even then it is sporadically used as a tool for settling scores), dictate that they are not millionaires, nor can they manage large amounts of personal money, nor can they have businesses,” he warned.

Where does the money come from?

The comedian pointed out that not only they, but also "their descendants" are not supposed to boast about that.

"Neither does their lineage, because that money comes from what they steal from me through countless means (and from you, and from 'elbocaditodeladooo,' and from the vendor, and from the elderly woman whose pension isn’t enough to buy her lunch for the first week) or from the indirect bribery of their parents. Let's take off the mask: as I said before, the only sources for that money are theft or bribery," he asserted.

The comedian not only pointed out the problem but also analyzed it from a historical and moral perspective.

"They were not born with a silver spoon. Or perhaps they should not have been born at all, since the wealth of those cradles would be ill-gotten: taken from the state's coffers for personal use," he denounced, insisting that such riches could only be justified through acts of corruption.

The comedian compared the current situation in Cuba to what happened in the former Soviet Union, where, after the dissolution of the socialist bloc, many members of the Communist Party became millionaires by taking advantage of their power before the collapse.

Toirac also pointed out that the Cuban political and legal system has been designed to protect the elite in power while severely punishing those who challenge its authority.

"Laws are made for those who 'raise their voices' in a way that doesn't suit them, and these laws include a range of punishments corresponding to the importance of the position held by the 'protester.' However, no laws are enacted to investigate, prosecute, or sentence members of the Government or the Party (regardless of their rank) or their descendants who lead opulent lifestyles and operate companies of any kind," he asserted.

Absence of control mechanisms and impunity

In his insightful reflection, Toirac lamented the absence of control mechanisms, opposition political parties, and truly independent journalism that could balance power in Cuba.

He pointed out that in Cuba, "everything from laws to journalism has been shaped over the years"; adding that "there are no political parties that provide balance, nor any opinion leaders or ideologies, because a 'scorched earth' policy has been applied to all of this."

And he stated: "The same mechanism that prevents criticism of autocratic decisions and outrageous pronouncements restricts the possibility of challenging the preparations of an oligarchy that is emerging within society. There is no opposition. Accountability is forbidden. Impunity."

This lack of balance, according to the comedian, is the root of the impunity that allows a select few to amass wealth, while the majority of Cubans struggle to survive in precarious conditions.

"To hell with Pepe Coj... and without any grease," concluded the comedian with irony, reflecting the sense of helplessness felt by many Cubans, the sacrifice imposed on the people in the face of the audacity of the elite.

Ulises Toirac's strong message—more direct and serious than ever before—has, at the end of this note, garnered over 2,100 reactions and more than 460 comments from internet users who, for the most part, have expressed their agreement with the comedian and praised him for his bravery.

Several commentators agreed that their reflections highlight one of the greatest contradictions of the Cuban regime: a discourse of equality and social justice that stands in stark contrast to the widening gap between the people and the offspring of those in power.

Context: The controversial party of Sandro Castro

Toirac's criticism has a direct precedent in his stance on the party organized by Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro, to celebrate his birthday this Thursday at the EFE bar, which he owns.

The event, announced with great fanfare amidst the severe economic crisis affecting the island, has sparked widespread social rejection.

In a previous social media post, Toirac ironically questioned what his followers would say if he agreed to be a guest artist at Sandro's party.

However, in the comments section, he made his ethical stance clear: "There are things that should not be done, steps that should not be taken, jokes that do not belong in the repertoire. Even if it's the only thing to cling to for sustenance. NO."

In recent years, the comedian has consistently used his platform to criticize government policies, which has resulted in the suspension of several of his performances, according to reports.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ulises Toirac's Critique of the Ruling Elite in Cuba