The actor and comedian Ulises Toirac defended the idea that a future Cuba for all must be plural and inclusive.
“A new Cuba must be based on respect and plurality. On the unwavering decision to create a Nation for all Cubans. And in its flourishing, everyone must be included. From communists to annexationists. The entire spectrum of ideological thought,” Toirac said in a reflection on Facebook that reacted to his own post about July 11.
"I am aware of the arguments many have against this, but believe me, a country cannot exist unless it follows the principles of true democracy. Balance will emerge victorious, and it is in that balance where its strength will lie. There is no other way to achieve it," he stated.
However, Toirac believes that democracy is unfeasible as long as the extremes persist.
"The language of the centers of influence, which are extreme and continue to sow discord (and monetize hate, and I say it clearly: THEY MONETIZE HATE), has an economic support that allows them to fuel intransigence and, with it, stagnation," he said.
Toirac's reflection has gone viral and sparked an intense debate on his wall. Many have agreed with the actor, while others have called for the future banning of the communist party and for those who have committed crimes to face justice.
One day prior, Toirac had published a strong message criticizing the official narrative surrounding the anniversary of July 11, a date on which four years ago thousands of Cubans took to the streets in protests against the regime.
In his reflection, Toirac dismantled the arrogant discourse of state media, which he labeled as superficial, lacking in self-criticism, and disconnected from the real suffering of the people.
"I don't understand the triumphalism displayed in some media regarding today's date," he wrote on Facebook on Friday.
"Does the suppression of protests demonstrate strength? Is this a conclusion regarding the events that showed something positive for 'socialism' in Cuba?" he asked, with irony and discontent.
Toirac questioned the government's narrative that presents the protests of July 11 as violent attempts at destabilization driven from abroad.
"No one ever presented documentation or evidence that those who dragged the crowds were mercenaries," he stated.
He also criticized the official narrative that labels the protesters as criminals. "The demands were social, and the overwhelming majority of the protesters did not use their rebellion to vandalize," he insisted.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ulises Toirac's Statement and the Situation in Cuba
What does Ulises Toirac propose for a future Cuba?
Ulises Toirac defends a plural and inclusive Cuba, where all Cubans, from communists to annexationists, are part of the country. He proposes a true democracy based on respect and plurality, where balance is the foundation of its strength.
What does Toirac think about the protests on July 11 in Cuba?
Toirac criticizes the official narrative that presents the protests of 11J as violent attempts at destabilization. He asserts that the demands were social and that the majority of the protesters did not resort to vandalism. He questions the lack of self-criticism and the superficiality in the discourse of state media.
How does Ulises Toirac view the economic situation in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac warns of an irreversible economic collapse in Cuba, attributed to a fundamentally flawed economic philosophy. He criticizes centralization, state ownership, and the lack of real production, proposing drastic structural changes as the only solution.
What is Toirac's stance on the repression of student protests?
Toirac has been a strong critic of ETECSA's rate hike and a defender of students' right to protest. He warns that repressing the demonstrators would have an "unpayable political cost" for the government. He promotes listening to young people instead of suppressing them.
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