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The renowned Cuban baritone Ulises Aquino Guerra once again raised his voice against the current direction of the country, this time through an extensive message posted on his Facebook profile, where he expressed deep concern over the economic and social crisis facing the nation.
"I honestly can't sleep," Aquino confessed after hearing Miguel Díaz-Canel's statement when he demanded inspections of private businesses to verify if they comply with the energy plan.
For the artist, that stance demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the fundamental role that the private sector plays in the country's economy.
"The little or much that is generated comes from there, as they pay a lot of taxes, and yet have better salaries than the State," he noted.
The singer harshly criticized that the government does not take responsibility for the management of basic services.
He remembered that it is the State that must collect the garbage, repair the thermoelectric plants, maintain the streets and avenues, ensure food production, care for architecture, and attend to children and the elderly.
However, in his view, these resources have been squandered on bureaucracy, hotel construction, and other unproductive state expenditures, while fishing is restricted, tariffs are imposed, and the development of alternative productive forces is prohibited.
"From here, I can respond, above all with great shame, with pain, and with deep sorrow at seeing the state of poverty our society has reached," wrote Aquino.
The artist denounced that the official narrative does not acknowledge the real misery of the people, using convoluted terms like "vulnerable."
"They are not called 'vulnerable', they are called miserable, hungry, poor, destitute, beggars, and ragged," he detailed.
He pointed out that the crisis has worsened since the implementation of policies such as the Tarea Ordenamiento and the repression of agricultural production, which has left the population without sugar, eggs, pork, or milk.
The baritone also lamented the indifference of those who applaud the government and denounced the threat to those who protest.
"This town, overwhelmed with so much suffering and misery, can hardly believe that empathy is not shown to them," he wrote, pointing out that the population, disillusioned by the lack of a future plan, prefers to emigrate or remain silent.
Aquino emphasized that Cuba cannot conform to models from other countries like China or Vietnam; that the future depends on the efforts of the citizens themselves.
"Proven is that you [the government] cannot, the people I am sure can," he concluded.
Aquino's critical stance is not new.
Last July, he already questioned the management of the Cuban economic and social system, defending the original spirit of the 1959 Revolution and denouncing the betrayal of those who have managed it from power.
The enemy blockade […] has been the perfect excuse to justify what is real and what is not," he stated at the time, referring to the official narrative that exclusively blames the U.S. embargo.
He also proposed an inclusive path of transformation, free from ideological constraints, that prioritizes full freedom and the reconstruction of the country through the ingenuity and talent of Cubans, both on the island and abroad.
"There will be no foreign investment, due to the reasons we all know and the accumulated debts. Only the collaboration and entrepreneurship of all Cubans can get us out of this situation. However, this must be done with freedom and full rights, respecting all forms of thought and expression," he expressed.
In April of this year, in a message titled "Let’s Talk About Solutions," the artist warned that without a profound ideological and political change, there will be no future for the nation.
He emphasized that the crisis is not only economic, but also demographic, sociological, and psychological, impacting the people's ability to live and envision their future.
Additionally, he denounced the resistance to change from the political elite and the use of the people as an ideological shield.
Ulises Aquino Guerra, born in Havana in 1963, is regarded as one of the most prestigious baritones of his generation, with performances in Europe and America and collaborations with figures such as Montserrat Caballé and Plácido Domingo.
Founded in 2006, the community project Ópera de la Calle combined opera, zarzuela, rock, and Cuban rhythms with the participation of over 200 artists.
However, in 2012, the government revoked the licenses to operate the main headquarters of the project, El Cabildo, highlighting the state’s distrust towards autonomous initiatives with significant social impact.
The artist has consistently defended freedom, the right to dissent, and the possibility of living with dignity.
"I don't want to die the way I lived," he wrote in another post. "I want to live peacefully and be able to enjoy my children and my grandchildren, who in the end are my greatest masterpiece."
His latest message once again calls for a different Cuba, one based on private initiative, respect for human rights, and the construction of a viable future through the talents and creativity of its citizens.
Frequently asked questions about Ulises Aquino's critique of the Cuban government
What motivated Ulises Aquino to criticize the Cuban government?
Ulises Aquino expressed his deep concern about the economic and social crisis in Cuba. He criticized the government’s management and the lack of accountability in basic services, pointing out that resources have been wasted on bureaucracy and unproductive projects such as hotel construction, while the real needs of the Cuban people are ignored.
What is Ulises Aquino's stance on the private sector in Cuba?
Ulises Aquino defends the fundamental role of the private sector in the Cuban economy. He criticizes that the government does not recognize the importance of private enterprises, which create jobs and pay taxes, despite the high costs and restrictions they face.
What proposals has Ulises Aquino made to improve the situation in Cuba?
Ulises Aquino has proposed a profound ideological change that allows for the unrestricted liberation of productive forces. He advocates for an inclusive model that prioritizes complete freedom, human rights, and the ingenuity of Cubans to rebuild the country.
How does Ulises Aquino describe the current state of Cuban society?
Ulises Aquino describes the state of Cuban society as one of destitution, criticizing the government for using terms like "vulnerable" to obscure the reality of the misery and hunger faced by many Cubans. He emphasizes the suffering and the lack of empathy towards the people.
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