Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac has expressed his frustration with the government's recent adoption of the term "war economy" to describe the current crisis. According to Toirac, the Cuban people have been living under war-like conditions for years. He sarcastically noted that it's "amusing" how officials manage to find new ways to label an already existing situation.
The actor highlighted a recent session of the Council of Ministers, where the Vice Minister of Economy announced the implementation of a "single, inclusive, and equal pricing policy" for both the state and non-state sectors. "For me, equality means equality. There shouldn't be some things more equal than others. The dollar exchange rate should be the same for both state and 'non-state' sectors. I hope it’s not 24 CUP for state and 'private' sectors, because that would be catastrophic," Toirac commented on Facebook, referencing the words of the great philosopher and ethnographer Guillermo Álvarez Guedes.
Toirac emphasized that this policy implies equal competition in the market, without regulatory obstacles. "They say there’s equality for all economic subjects, but they won't allow the enrichment of some subjects as if for the others, money is just for church offerings," he added.
The comedian questioned how this pricing policy would be practically applied and pointed out that many details are still unclear. "Just to give an example: the requirement to rely on a state entity for imports should be abolished. Equality, right? Let the private sector handle their own imports… Just saying," he remarked.
"We can talk another day about tariffs, payment exemptions, taxes, and the electronic market. The heat and lack of bread have me exhausted since early. I’ve been in a war economy for years," he reiterated.
In recent days, the government has used the term "war economy" to justify drastic measures aimed at ensuring greater control by the authorities. In June, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero called for a tougher stance against crime, corruption, and illegal activities, citing the need for stricter measures in times of a war economy.
Understanding Cuba's "War Economy" and Its Implications
Below are some frequently asked questions about the term "war economy" as used by the Cuban government, and the implications for the Cuban people.
What does "war economy" mean in the context of Cuba?
In the context of Cuba, "war economy" refers to the severe economic measures and controls implemented by the government to manage the ongoing crisis. This includes strict regulation of prices, imports, and market activities.
Why is Ulises Toirac critical of the "war economy" term?
Ulises Toirac criticizes the term because he believes that the Cuban people have been living under war-like economic conditions for years, and the government's new label does not change the reality of their ongoing struggles.
What are the potential effects of the new pricing policy?
The new pricing policy aims to create a single, inclusive, and equal pricing structure for both state and non-state sectors. However, there are concerns about how this will be implemented and whether it will truly result in fair competition.