Miguel Díaz-Canel toured the Municipal Defense Councils of San Miguel del Padrón and Diez de Octubre, in Havana, during a session that the state media Cubadebate presented as an opportunity to "analyze in detail the challenges and achievements of each territory."
The phrase sparked critical and mocking responses on Facebook, turning the post into a barometer of public frustration.
The visit is part of a tour of the 15 municipalities of Havana that began on June 30, within the framework of the so-called "Year of Preparation for Defense 2026." As of the closing of this edition, Díaz-Canel had already visited 11 of the 15 capital territories. The declared objective is to review the organization of the Defense Zones, although a slide accidentally shown by Canal Caribe on July 17 revealed that the real purpose includes actions "in the political, economic, social, and communication realms to prevent a social explosion."
The immediate trigger for the mockery was a statement that Díaz-Canel had made just two days earlier, on July 20, in an interview with journalist Oliver Zamora from RT en Español: "The utopia is on the horizon... What is the purpose of utopia? To walk." The phrase—originally taken from Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano—was widely interpreted as an admission that there is no concrete solution to the crisis, and immediately transferred to the comments of the official post.
"There are many challenges; achievements, that's a utopia," wrote one user. Another pointed out with irony: "The challenges are also on the horizon, and when they get closer, they take two steps back. As for the 'achievements,' they have faded into the horizon." A third summarized the general sentiment in one sentence: "Utopia moves forward, Cuba moves backward, and the elite become richer."
A recurring critique highlighted the contradiction between the meeting's setting and the reality of the neighborhoods. "There is light and the air conditioners are on, because they didn't do it without light and without air to show the challenges and achievements of each territory," noted a commentator.
Another commenter was more direct: "If the visit to the municipalities is going to take place in an air-conditioned office instead of traversing the streets and listening to the people, I don't know how the main problems of each area will be addressed." A resident from Playa reported not having electricity all night while reading the post: "I had no power all night. Playa circuit 1246 and having to hear this. I’m already losing my mind."
Concrete complaints quickly emerged. A resident of San Miguel del Padrón reported that in their neighborhood La Cumbre, "people are unaware of the role of the Intendente and their governing group," and that the local council does not directly address local issues. From Diez de Octubre, a neighbor pointed out "the horrible amount of garbage and sewer leaks" and warned that "nobody cares about the epidemics." Another commentator invited Díaz-Canel to walk along Calle E between 19 and 21 in the Plaza municipality, where wastewater affects two buildings and a pharmacy in front of the Prensa Latina headquarters.
The context surrounding those complaints is well-documented and severe. "Look, we've been analyzing the same issue for years," wrote another user, summarizing what dozens of comments expressed in various ways. "Meetings and more meetings, yet no one produces anything," added another.
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