Ulises Toirac criticizes the official discourse of 11J: "I am increasingly convinced of the superficiality and contempt for the people."

The Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac posted a powerful message online criticizing the official narrative regarding the anniversary of July 11, a date when thousands of Cubans took to the streets in protests against the regime four years ago.

In his reflection, Toirac dismantled the arrogant discourse of the state-run media, which he described as superficial, lacking self-criticism, and disconnected from the real suffering of the people.

"I do not understand the triumphalism displayed in some media regarding today’s date," he wrote on Facebook on Friday.

"Does the repression that stifled the protests demonstrate strength? Is this a conclusion about 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 11th as violent attempts at destabilization promoted from abroad.

"No one ever provided documentation or evidence that those who dragged the crowds were mercenaries," he stated.

He also challenged the official narrative that labels the protesters as criminals. "The demands were social, and the overwhelming majority of the protesters did not use their defiance to vandalize," he insisted.

Toirac also criticized the way the government interprets the current apparent calm as a "victory" or a sign of political stability.

For him, the absence of social unrest on commemorative dates does not signify true peace, but rather the result of weariness, hopelessness, and the disintegration of civil society.

"I don't see the triumphalism because the social differences are becoming increasingly deep, along with poverty, a lack of hope, reluctance to participate, and economic collapse," he stated.

He also lamented that the values that once defined the revolution – "of the humble, by the humble, and for the humble" – have been betrayed, noting that the protests did not originate in privileged areas like El Laguito or Miramar, but rather from the most humble neighborhoods.

For Ulises, the country is in a dead end, and the worst part is that he sees no coherent plan for the future or any real possibility of reversing these processes that are only getting worse.

"A social explosion driven by misery is only more dangerous than a nuclear explosion," he warned, in a somber tone.

His final message is a call for honesty, to stop viewing reality through the lens of propaganda. "I really don't see the joy, let alone the celebration," he concluded.

July 11, 2021, marked a historic date in Cuba. In over 40 cities, thousands of citizens spontaneously took to the streets to peacefully protest against the lack of freedoms, the economic crisis, and the government's management.

The protests were violently suppressed following President Miguel Díaz-Canel's call to "combat," leading to mass arrests and prison sentences for over a thousand demonstrators.

Four years later, many of them remain imprisoned. Meanwhile, the economic and social situation in the country continues to deteriorate, with constant blackouts, rising inflation, overwhelming migration, and a population that is increasingly impoverished and frustrated.

Ulises Toirac's statement adds to other critical voices that, from both inside and outside Cuba, urge the regime to acknowledge the popular outcry of July 11 as a legitimate expression of social discontent, rather than a conspiracy fomented from abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ulises Toirac's Critiques of the Cuban Regime