The Cuban actor and comedian Ulises Toirac cautioned about the possibility that the regime may resort to a “measured violence” to suppress the growing university movement that has raised its voice against the rate increase imposed by ETECSA.
In a clear and straightforward analysis published this Monday on his personal profile on Facebook, Toirac mocks the existence of internal manuals to suppress dissent, a product of six decades of political control.
"There must be a thicker manual than War and Peace on contingency procedures focused on smothering this type of situation," he wrote, pointing directly at the machinery of manipulation, deterrence, and repression built by the Cuban state.
According to the comedian, the official response has already begun to take shape with the classic label of "Empire strategy" applied to any form of protest.
However, he underscores that the students did not act under any foreign pattern, but rather responded to a moral dilemma: to silently accept injustices or to express that "this cake is festering."
"They are not fools (they are university students); they recognized the inconsistencies and absurdities, which led them to decide," he stated, advocating for the autonomy and clarity of the Cuban youth.
Toirac also reported that there are already accounts of targeted intimidation, students retreating out of fear, and institutional phrases such as “if you don't like it, emigrate,” clearly alluding to the state’s response to discontent.
In his opinion, everything points to a radicalization of the conflict: “I fear that this week things will escalate and the situation will become very tense,” he warned.
In the face of the impending repression, the humorist defends the strength of reason and facts. "Reason cannot be coercive. It is reason and nothing more. If it uses force, it ceases to be," he wrote, in one of the most quoted passages of his text.
Toirac concluded with a clear and forceful statement: "Try to include them. Any other arithmetic fails." An invitation to listen to young people, rather than dismissing them.
The support of Toirac for the Cuban student movement has been unwavering in recent days. In one of his first public reactions, he firmly questioned the price hike imposed by ETECSA and defended the right of young people to protest, asserting that remaining silent in the face of injustice is tantamount to siding with the oppressor.
Later, State Security summoned him for questioning, in an attempt to curb his statements. The comedian later recounted that he was not assaulted, but he was warned that his words carried political weight, a message he interpreted as indirect pressure to silence him.
Far from retracting, Toirac reaffirmed his support for the students, reminding that what is at stake is not an ideology, but the moral conscience of a generation. He insisted that the Cuban youth deserve to be heard, not repressed, and that their struggle is legitimate and necessary.
Frequently asked questions about the university movement and Ulises Toirac's stance
What is Ulises Toirac's stance on the university movement in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac strongly supports the university movement and openly criticizes the repressive measures of the Cuban government. He highlights the autonomy and clarity of the students protesting against ETECSA's rate hike and warns about the possible violent reprisals from the regime.
What criticisms has Ulises Toirac expressed about ETECSA and the Cuban government?
Ulises Toirac has harshly criticized the new tariff scheme of ETECSA, describing it as abusive and discriminatory. He has pointed out that the Cuban peso has no value and that the government's measures increase social exclusion. Furthermore, he denounces the disconnection of the Cuban leadership from the reality of the country and the manipulation of the official discourse.
What consequences does Ulises Toirac foresee if the government suppresses the student protests?
Toirac warns that repressing student protests would have an unpayable political cost for the government. He emphasizes that allowing the demonstrations would be seen as a political weakness, while repression could escalate the conflict and increase social discontent.
How has the Cuban State Security reacted to Ulises Toirac's criticisms?
The State Security summoned Ulises Toirac for an interview, after which Toirac described the meeting as respectful and without explicit pressures. However, the intimidating nature of these summons has been reported by his supporters on social media.
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