"I'm betting everything on hunger," declared Cuban actor and comedian Ulises Toirac in a social media post, expressing his ironic and pessimistic views on Cuba's future. In his Facebook post, Toirac outlined the vicious cycle exacerbating the country's economic and social crisis: "No money / no fuel / no generation / no production / no wealth generation / no money."
According to Toirac, breaking this cycle would require structural changes in the production model and access to financing sources, something he deems unlikely due to Cuba's history of debt defaults and the economic embargo. His words starkly contrast with the optimistic rhetoric of Miguel Díaz-Canel, who recently boasted during a visit to Cienfuegos that "Cuba will move forward."
Criticism of Government Euphemisms
In his message, Toirac attacked the official euphemism "contingency," used to describe the energy crisis, labeling it as an attempt to disguise what he calls an "energy meltdown." He criticized how the lack of fuel and deterioration of electrical facilities are impacting energy generation, affecting factories, homes, and businesses.
He also highlighted the struggles of small and medium-sized enterprises and other sectors to operate under electronic payment systems amid prolonged blackouts, noting that these measures only deepen the economic paralysis. With his trademark critical tone, Toirac concluded that hunger is winning in the race against governmental solutions.
A Reflection of Despair
His phrase "betting everything on hunger" resonates as a reflection of the despair shared by many Cubans facing a crisis with no apparent resolution, highlighting, according to the comedian, a lack of willingness to implement real and effective changes.
Toirac accompanied his post with two symbolic images that reinforce his critical message on Cuba's situation: the first depicts a cat closely watching a mouse, an image that could symbolize precariousness and an unequal struggle, where the smaller or more vulnerable is under constant threat, mirroring the daily survival battle many Cubans face.
The second image shows a smiling electrical worker performing his duties in a visibly rundown urban environment, a contrast between the individual's optimistic attitude and the deteriorating infrastructure, potentially representing personal resilience in the face of limitations.
Humor as a Platform for Critique
Toirac, known for using humor to depict Cuban reality, has turned his social media into a platform for denunciation and critique in recent years. Recently, he sarcastically commented on Cuba: "Everything is going as promised by Murillo—everything fat and his millionaire's watch."