The Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac shook up social media again with a scathing analysis of the country's immediate future.
"Summer is coming on strong. It’s already heavy," he warned in a post that depicts, without euphemisms, the social and economic collapse being experienced on the Island.
A country without light, without medicine, without food... and without a way out
Toirac describes an alarming scenario: increasingly longer power outages, uncontrolled inflation, extreme shortages, families on the brink of financial collapse, and abandoned healthcare infrastructure, just as the heat fosters the proliferation of diseases.
All of this in a country where, he says, "the Cuban peso isn't worth even the shell," and the government continues to implement neoliberal measures "but without the mechanisms of the capitalist market."
The comedian leaves no room for optimism: "The famous macroeconomic plan (...) is not taking off and will not take off in anything other than increasing poverty and putting a large portion of the population in a 'vulnerable' position."
Hot summer, abandoned town
The panorama described by Ulises Toirac is bleak, but not surprising. Summer arrives with more heat, more hunger, more mosquitoes, more inflation... and less hope.
"The blackout regime is becoming more severe," recalls the actor, who notes that "areas that had a less harsh schedule are now experiencing daily blackouts (not to mention those that were already suffering from 13 to 16 hours of power outages)."
Millions of Cubans find themselves trapped in a daily struggle for survival, where even feeding their children during school holidays becomes a challenge.
"Don't move the canoe," Toirac ironically concludes his post. But the canoe has been adrift for a while now.
With his dark humor and brutal honesty, he gives voice to the collective pain of a nation that is not only enduring but is also drowning.
And it does so without ostentation, from within, from the very heart of a society on the brink of collapse while those in power turn their backs on reality.
Sarcasm as an antidote to misery
Ulises posted one of his most cutting messages on Friday in response to ETECSA's new restrictions, which now limit the amount in Cuban pesos that users can allocate for mobile recharges to 360 CUP per month, forcing them to pay in dollars if they want greater connectivity.
"That the purchasing power isn't up to par.... Look, tough luck. If the Cuban peso isn't worth even the shell of the 24 it has from the government, tough luck. If people earn little, tough luck. There's no way to print more bills, comrades.... Bad luck," she said with her usual irony.
The conclusion of that message leaves no doubt about its stance: "And just so you know: we're going for MORE, meaning more money. In other words, more laws are coming".
The comedian also reacted to the recent statements made during the Mesa Redonda, where regime officials promised to recover 500 megawatts of power generation in three years.
"Just three years and we are saved!", Toirac joked. "Today we drink! Water, even if it's just that!".
The comedian shared a heartbreaking testimony, accompanied by a powerful hashtag that quickly began to go viral.
"I'm going to make a hashtag go viral: #CubaHurtsBadly," he wrote on Facebook, where he bluntly described the daily hardships faced by a large portion of the Cuban population.
The audience's reaction was immediate.
Hundreds of people shared their own stories of deprivation, joining the hashtag, which became a symbol of collective frustration and an unofficial rallying cry for millions of Cubans who see no way out of the current model.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ulises Toirac and the Situation in Cuba
What current issues in Cuba does Ulises Toirac criticize in his publication?
Ulises Toirac criticizes the prolonged blackouts, the uncontrolled inflation, and the extreme shortages as part of a social and economic crisis affecting the island. He also highlights the collapse of the healthcare system and the deterioration of the value of the Cuban peso.
How does Ulises Toirac use humor to address the situation in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac uses dark humor and irony to highlight the inconsistencies and problems of the Cuban regime. Through his satire, he denounces the lack of freedoms, the scarcity of resources, and the unpopular measures of the government, such as the restrictions on mobile recharges from ETECSA.
What government measures does Toirac criticize regarding ETECSA?
Toirac criticizes the new restrictions of ETECSA that limit the amount that can be used for mobile top-ups to 360 CUP per month, forcing people to pay in dollars for normal connectivity. He denounces that this excludes those who do not have access to foreign currency, increasing inequality.
What is Ulises Toirac's stance on the Cuban government's promises to improve electricity generation?
Ulises Toirac expresses skepticism regarding the government's promises to recover 500 megawatts of electricity generation in three years. He uses sarcasm to convey his distrust and emphasizes that the proposed solutions sound disconnected from the daily reality of Cubans.
What impact does the hashtag #CubaDueleConCojone created by Toirac have?
The hashtag #CubaDueleConCojone has gone viral as a symbol of the frustration and collective pain of Cubans in the face of daily shortages and hardships. Toirac's initiative has sparked a wave of testimonies and support on social media, becoming an unofficial rallying cry.
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