The Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac once again spoke out this Saturday in support of the student protests against ETECSA's price hikes, delivering a direct message against repression and the censorship of critical opinions.
"Seeing the enemy in someone who makes you confront the reality you don't want to acknowledge is a way of evading your mistakes and shortcomings. To declare someone an 'enemy' implies my social destruction, an abuse of power. I am not your enemy. It is reality," he said.
The post, published on their Facebook account, was accompanied by the hashtag #NoToquenALosUniversitarios, in defense of the student body that has led an unprecedented academic strike from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing at the University of Havana.
The statement comes just a day after Toirac was summoned by State Security for an "interview".
Although he described the meeting as "respectful" and without explicit pressures, many followers reported on social media the intimidating nature of these summonses to public figures who have spoken out amid the growing social unrest in Cuba.
Strong support for the youth that protests
Toirac has been one of the most critical voices in the Cuban cultural landscape regarding ETECSA's new pricing scheme, which imposes dollarized prices and conditions deemed unfair and exclusionary, especially for young people and those without access to remittances.
Since the beginning of the student strike, it has warned that an open repression against the demonstrators would have an "unpayable political cost" for the government.
"Allowing it would be a display of political weakness never before seen," he wrote days ago, indicating that power is at a crossroads.
Through numerous publications, the comedian has denounced the disconnect between the Cuban leadership and reality, the use of tired rhetoric, and the manipulation of the official narrative to justify deeply unpopular measures.
"One of the dangers of living in a bubble […] is having no clue about what's really going on. And acting accordingly," wrote Toirac, in one of the most shared messages on social media this week.
A context of tension and censorship
The public support of Toirac adds to that of other recognized figures in Cuban culture, such as actresses Susana Pérez and Amarilys Núñez, who have also expressed their support for the students and against censorship.
In parallel, hundreds of citizens both inside and outside of Cuba have expressed their support for the academic strike, while reports of pressure and threats against students by university authorities and state agents continue to rise.
Despite the government's efforts to contain the wave of criticism, including partial adjustments to rates and promises of free access to educational sites reserved only for university students, young people have rejected these selective privileges and demanded solutions that benefit all citizens.
Toirac's message is clear: "I am not your enemy. Reality is." A reminder that silencing criticism does not stop the crisis; it merely postpones the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ulises Toirac's Support for Cuban Students and His Critique of the Government
Why does Ulises Toirac support student protests in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac supports the student protests in Cuba against the ETECSA rate hike because he believes that these measures impose unfair and exclusionary prices, especially for young people and those without access to remittances. He also warns that the repression against the demonstrators would have an "unpayable political cost" for the Cuban government, showing his strong support for the youth who are protesting.
What has been the Cuban government's reaction to Ulises Toirac's criticisms?
The Cuban government has summoned Ulises Toirac for interviews with State Security, which numerous supporters have denounced as an intimidation tactic. Although Toirac described the meeting as respectful and without explicit pressures, the context of censorship and repression in Cuba suggests that these summonses aim to silence critical voices.
What criticism does Ulises Toirac have about ETECSA's measures?
Ulises Toirac criticizes ETECSA's new pricing scheme for being abusive and discriminatory, as it imposes prices in dollars that are far beyond the reach of most Cuban citizens. Furthermore, he denounces that these measures do not solve the connectivity crisis and only benefit those with access to remittances, increasing social inequality.
What consequences could the repression of student protests in Cuba have?
Ulises Toirac warns that suppressing student protests would have an "unbearable political cost" for the Cuban government. He points out that allowing repression would be a sign of unprecedented political weakness and that the government is at a critical crossroads where it must decide whether to continue with repressive tactics or to permit an open dialogue with the demonstrators.
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