Writer and journalist Reinaldo Escobar: today's Cuba is a "resounding failure."

The independent Cuban journalist Reinaldo Escobar stated that today's Cuban society is "a resounding failure" of the revolutionary project launched in 1959 by Fidel Castro.

In an interview for the American news channel CNN with the Cuban-French journalist Wendy Guerra, the founder – along with Yoani Sánchez – of the independent portal 14yMedio, analyzed the deep crisis on the island as a reflection of the growing divide between the people and the government.

For Escobar, present-day Cuba is a "resounding failure," especially when comparing the reality to the foundational ideals of the revolutionary process: freedom, sovereignty, social justice, and the aspiration for a cultured and compassionate "new man."

The independent journalist, writer, and chronicler notes that the island, which was once the stronghold of the socialist revolution, is currently experiencing a time of extreme hardships: unsanitary conditions in hospitals, endless blackouts, neglect of the most vulnerable populations, hunger, shortages, and a complete defenselessness of its citizens.

The lack of trust in the authorities is becoming increasingly evident, while the fear of expressing dissent is growing, following the stringent state control that has harshly repressed any attempts at dissent since the protests of July 11, 2021, as noted in the article titled "Cuba, 66 Years Later: The Revolution Enters Retirement Age."

The intellectual analyzes that the so-called Cuban revolution, which promised a prosperous society, has fallen far short of its initial expectations. In his words, "those who were wrong were right," he notes.

It explains that the independent press in Cuba, such as 14yMedio, faces significant challenges in obtaining reliable information, and that the lack of access to official sources, widespread fear among citizens, and misinformation from State Security complicate the work of reporters.

Escobar adds that he does not have high hopes that external aid can resolve the crisis that Cuba is facing.

In this regard, he believes that the island needs more than international assistance; it requires a "miracle" that can only come from an internal change driven by the Cubans themselves.

In their view, the true solution for Cuba lies in a profound social change, beginning with the decriminalization of political dissent, the abolition of repressive laws, and the release of political prisoners.

The interview indicates that Cuba remains a country caught between its revolutionary history and a present filled with despair, concluding that the 66-year-old revolution has "entered retirement age."

Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis in Cuba and Reinaldo Escobar's Analysis