The Cuban regime dismissed Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento as the general secretary of the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC) on Tuesday, after more than eleven years at the helm of the only permitted labor organization on the island.
The decision was made during a session of the National Council of the CTC, according to the website of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), without providing details on the reasons for the departure.
The official statement simply noted that Guilarte "was recognized for his performance" and that he would be assigned "other responsibilities."
Instead, Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez, 51 years old, a graduate in Biochemistry and with a background as a leader in the Party at various levels, was appointed.
Colina, a member of the Central Committee and deputy to the National Assembly, has been presented by the authorities as a political figure capable of "creating a favorable and unifying political environment," in line with the official discourse that demands total alignment with the Party's objectives.
In addition to the dismissal of Guilarte, the National Council decided to postpone the XXII Congress of the CTC until mid-2026, stating that the preliminary process of municipal and provincial conferences has not yet been completed, and that the labor organization must focus in the coming months on consulting the Draft Labor Code law.
The organ also appointed an Organizing Committee for the Congress, chaired by Colina himself, and extended its mandate beyond the statutory limit of six months, until the union meeting takes place.
The meeting was chaired by Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the PCC, who oversees the restructuring of union leadership at a time of significant labor discontent in key sectors such as health, education, and transportation.
The CTC, under the leadership of Guilarte since 2013, has been criticized for its inaction in the face of the severe economic crisis and the deterioration of the living conditions of the Cuban working class.
Its role has been limited to reproducing the guidelines of the Communist Party, without genuinely representing the interests of the workers.
In recent months, Guilarte had reiterated, with the rhetoric typical of the regime, the need to "continue calling" upon the Cuban people for a "practice of resistance" that is not merely passive "but rather a mobilization of economic resources" to gather everything that "contributes reserves for transforming the issue," he said in reference to the economic crisis facing the Island.
He also acknowledged the ineffectiveness of the union organization he led in addressing “all the issues,” but believed that if workers see their representatives discussing their concerns, they will trust them.
Frequently asked questions about the dismissal of Ulises Guilarte and the political context in Cuba
Why was Ulises Guilarte removed from the CTC?
The official statement did not specify the reasons for the dismissal of Ulises Guilarte as the general secretary of the Central Workers' Union of Cuba (CTC). It was only mentioned that he was recognized for his performance and that other responsibilities would be assigned to him.
Who is the new Secretary General of the CTC?
The new general secretary of the CTC is Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez, a graduate in Biochemistry with experience as a leader of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) at various levels, who, prior to his appointment, served as the first secretary of the PCC in the province of Villa Clara.
What is the role of the non-state sector in the current Cuban economy?
The non-state sector represents more than 13% of the economically active population in Cuba. This sector faces significant challenges, such as state control and a lack of economic autonomy, in a restrictive regulatory environment that limits its development and growth.
What does the removal of leaders in the PCC reflect about the political situation in Cuba?
The dismissal of leaders in the PCC, such as Ulises Guilarte and other provincial secretaries, reflects instability in the country’s political leadership. These abrupt changes and the lack of transparency in decision-making create distrust and raise questions about the regime's ability to address Cuba's systemic issues.
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