Ulises Toirac Criticizes the Lavish Lifestyles of Cuba's Ruling Elite's Descendants

Renowned Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac, famous for his sharp observations on the island's realities, has expressed a powerful critique of the privileges and extravagance surrounding the offspring of Cuba's ruling class. His extensive post on Facebook—which has rapidly gone viral—highlighted the stark contrast between the Cuban government's political rhetoric that praises austerity and sacrifice, and the luxurious lifestyles of some descendants of the ruling elite, such as Miguel Díaz-Canel's stepson and Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro.

"The discontent with the stepson of... and the grandson of... is not out of envy or a 'media campaign by enemies to harm the Revolution,'" Toirac began, addressing typical government defenses against criticism. "It's simply that the country's leaders, bound by the historical demands of their own party, claim not to be millionaires or manage large sums of personal wealth, nor are they supposed to own businesses," he warned.

Questioning the Source of Wealth

The comedian questioned not just the leaders but also their descendants, who he suggested should not flaunt wealth allegedly obtained through dubious means. "Their descendants shouldn't either, because that money comes from what's stolen from me in countless ways (and from you, and from 'elbocaditodeladooo' and from the vendor and the elderly woman whose pension doesn't cover her first week's lunch) or from indirect bribery to their parents. Let's be honest: as I've said, the only source of such wealth is theft or bribery," Toirac asserted.

Toirac didn't just point out the problem but also analyzed it from a historical and moral perspective. "They weren't born with silver spoons. Or they shouldn't have been, because the gold in those cradles would have been ill-gotten: Taken from state coffers for personal use," he declared, stressing that such riches could only be justified through corrupt acts.

Parallels with Historical Events

The comedian drew comparisons between the current situation in Cuba and the former Soviet Union, where many Communist Party members became millionaires by exploiting their positions prior to the collapse. He also highlighted how Cuba's political and legal frameworks are designed to protect the ruling elite while severely punishing those who challenge their authority.

"Laws are created for those who 'raise their voices' in ways that don't align with the government's stance, and these laws include a range of punishments based on the importance of the position being criticized. But no laws are made to prosecute, investigate, and sentence government or Party figures (or their descendants) living opulently or owning businesses," he asserted.

The Absence of Checks and Balances

In his incisive reflection, Toirac lamented the lack of control mechanisms, opposition parties, and truly independent journalism in Cuba capable of balancing power. He pointed out that in Cuba, "from laws to journalism, everything has been shaped over the years," adding that "there are no political parties offering balance nor opinion leaders or ideologies because a scorched-earth policy has been applied to all of that."

And he concluded: "The same mechanism that prevents criticism of autocratic decisions and absurd pronouncements also restricts the possibility of challenging the preparations of an oligarchy born within society. There is no opposition. Balance is forbidden. Impunity." According to the comedian, this lack of balance is the root of the impunity that allows some privileged individuals to amass wealth while the majority of Cubans struggle to survive under harsh conditions.

"De a Pepe Coj... y sin grasa," he concluded with irony, reflecting the powerlessness felt by many Cubans amidst the sacrifices imposed on the people and the audacity of the elite.

Ulises Toirac's strong message—direct and serious as never before—has garnered more than 2,100 reactions and over 460 comments from internet users, most of whom agreed with the comedian and praised his courage. Many commenters pointed out that his reflections expose one of the greatest contradictions of the Cuban regime: A discourse of equality and social justice that starkly contrasts with the widening gap between the people and the ruling class's descendants.

The Controversial Party of Sandro Castro

Toirac's criticisms find a direct precedent in his stance on a party organized by Sandro Castro, Fidel Castro's grandson, to celebrate his birthday at his bar, EFE. The event, announced with much fanfare amid the island's severe economic crisis, has sparked widespread social backlash.

In a previous social media post, Toirac ironically questioned what his followers would say if he accepted an invitation to perform at the party. However, he made his ethical stance clear in the comments section: "There are things you don't do, steps you don't take, jokes you don't include in your repertoire. Even if it's the only thing to hold on to for sustenance. No."

In recent years, the comedian has consistently used his platform to criticize government policies, which he claims has led to the cancellation of several of his performances.