The renowned comedian Ulises Toirac has returned to social media with a biting critique of the Cuban leadership, questioning the disconnection of those in power from the reality of the country and denouncing the systematic manipulation of the official discourse.
“One of the dangers of living in a bubble […] is having no idea about what’s really going on. And acting accordingly,” Toirac wrote in a post on Facebook, which quickly went viral.
In his characteristic sarcastic and biting style, the artist condemned the theatricalization of political life in Cuba, the authoritarianism of the leaders, the submission of their collaborators, and the constant distortion of reality.
Toirac describes a country where the image constructed for official discourse bears no relation to the true living conditions of the people, who are demanded to make sacrifices while being deprived of truth, real participation, and dignity.
Shortly before, the actor had touched on the sore point with a brief yet incisive reflection on the social unrest brought about in the island by the recent "tarifazo" from ETECSA.
In a comment posted on Monday on his Facebook profile, he joked about the collective reaction to the new connectivity fees imposed by the state telecommunications company, contrasting it with the silence regarding other fundamental shortages such as food or medicine.
"The issue that exploded with what has come to be called 'the tariff hike' by ETECSA has been a catalyst for public opinion for several reasons," wrote Toirac.
"They go from the power of state institutions —ETESCA is not a company, it is the state selling connectivity and communication— to the violation of laws with absolute impunity (let the lawyers speak), to the defenselessness of the citizen who neither participates nor is informed or benefits from any plan, strategy, or decision regarding THEIR economy and that of THEIR country," he emphasized.
But it was his final phrase that generated the most reactions: “It's a shame that the donkey kicks for the megabytes and not for the food and medicine for the children and the elderly.”
The posts come shortly after Toirac himself announced his withdrawal from political commentary on social media, in a message full of frustration and resignation.
"This is beyond repair, compay… and I am withdrawing from the mechanics of the workshop!" he stated a few weeks ago, acknowledging that his efforts to raise awareness had been futile in the face of the weight of fear, social inertia, and institutional censorship.
According to the comedian, the complicity of silence and forced participation in public events like the May Day parade only reinforce the official narrative, even though many do so out of fear or necessity. "The discontent is evident, but the facade presented in public sustains the fiction of a happy people," he pointed out.
For months, Ulises Toirac has been a victim of undeclared censorship by Cuban cultural institutions, which —as he has reported— pressure producers and organizers not to hire him as retaliation for his critical opinions.
"They don't let me work precisely because of that," he expressed. "For saying what I think, for being honest."
Frequently asked questions about Ulises Toirac's criticisms of the Cuban government
What is Ulises Toirac's main message about the situation in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac criticizes the Cuban government's disconnection from the reality of the country and condemns the systematic manipulation of the official discourse. He asserts that the government lives in a "bubble" that prevents it from seeing the true living conditions of the people, who are asked for sacrifice while being deprived of truth and participation.
Why does Ulises Toirac criticize the "tarifazo" of ETECSA?
Toirac criticizes the "tarifazo" of ETECSA because he sees it as an abuse of state power that prioritizes access to services in dollars, excluding those who do not have access to foreign currency. He emphasizes that ETECSA acts with impunity and that the real issue is the use of "fictitious money" in a system that does not benefit the average citizen.
What does Ulises Toirac think about censorship and silence in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac denounces the censorship and institutional pressure he faces due to his criticism of the government. He states that this censorship has hindered his ability to work and argues that the silence of the population, often motivated by fear or necessity, reinforces the official narrative of a happy and satisfied people.
How has the public reacted to Ulises Toirac's criticisms?
The critiques by Ulises Toirac have been well received by the public, generating a large number of reactions and comments on social media. His message has resonated with Cubans, who share his frustration and see in his words a reflection of their own discontent with the situation in the country.
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