The Cuban entrepreneur and opposition figure Manuel Milanés, based in Miami, has issued harsh criticisms of Pedro Sánchez's government during his visit to Spain.
In an interview given to the local media OKDIARIO, Milanés expressed his concerns about the political direction of the European country, stating that the current socialist administration reminds him of the early signs of communism that he experienced in Cuba and later witnessed in Venezuela.
"I saw too much socialism."
He recounted that during his stay at the hotel, he turned on the television once and turned it off five minutes later. "It felt like I was in Cuba," he said.
In his statements, he warns that in Spain, a model of socialism is being "normalized" that, although softer and more polished than that of Cuba or Venezuela, follows the same pattern: expansion of the state, propaganda funded by public money, and erosion of the free market.
For Milanés, this type of socialism—what he defines as "with anesthesia"—is equally dangerous, as it dulls society with promises without demanding effort. "A society that will produce slackers," he warned.
"I come from the future in Spain."
Milanés commented that his overall impression was one of concern: "I leave Spain worried because I have seen a lot of socialism," he declared.
He compared the current situation of the European nation with what he experienced alongside Venezuelans in the 90s, when he warned them that Chavismo would destroy the country.
"They told me: 'We have oil, we have a strong right. We can remove Chávez whenever we want.' And look at Venezuela. It's the same as in Cuba. Don't underestimate the socialists," he warned.
When questioned about the role of the Spanish government in the economy, the Cuban opposition member stated that Spain is in a transition from a free market to communism.
"What is happening now is that it is a mild socialism, a contemporary socialism, a nice socialism that does not repress. So, people see it as softer, like a socialism with anesthesia, but it is still socialism," he assured.
A warning from experience
Milanés recalled that the state's economic intervention, far from protecting the citizen, destroys savings, jobs, and the culture of effort.
His words reflected a deep concern over what he sees as an evident ideological drift.
"They are going to block a society that will produce slackers; it won't generate any incentives, as I see it, unfortunately. That Spanish spirit of hard work, of effort, of capitalism—I didn't see much of it on the streets. It scared me. I felt bad about that," he confessed.
The Cuban opposition figure concluded by urging the Spanish people to read the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx to understand that what he believes is happening in Spain is pure socialism, not social democracy.
"I don't want to be alarmist or chaotic, but of course, I see it. Fidel made it more abrupt because he seized power through armed conflict, and having the weapons, he imposed it. But Chávez came to power through the ballot box, and look at what is happening in Venezuela," he emphasized.
His testimony arrives as a warning from the experience of someone who claims to have already witnessed the end of the road that, according to him, Spain might be starting to traverse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Manuel Milanés' Warning on Socialism in Spain
Why does Manuel Milanés compare socialism in Spain with that of Cuba and Venezuela?
Manuel Milanés believes that socialism in Spain is following a pattern similar to that of Cuba and Venezuela, although in a milder and more polished way. Milanés warns about the expansion of the state, the use of public funds for propaganda, and the erosion of the free market as concerning signals of a model that, according to him, could lull society with promises without demanding effort.
What is the "socialism with anesthesia" that Milanés refers to?
The term "socialism with anesthesia" used by Milanés refers to a model of socialism that, although presented in a milder form and without direct repression, remains dangerous because it dulls the society. Milanés describes it as a system that offers easy promises without effort, which can lead to a less productive and more dependent society.
What similarities does Manuel Milanés see between the current situation in Spain and that of Venezuela in the 1990s?
Manuel Milanés sees parallels in the underestimation of socialism and the excessive confidence in economic and political strengths in both cases. In the 1990s, Venezuelans believed that chavismo would not destroy the country due to its oil wealth and a strong political right, but reality proved otherwise. Milanés warns that Spain could be on a similar path by not taking the risks of socialism seriously.
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