Prosperity Under Attack: The Regime's Envy-Fueled Agenda

In a segment from the state-run program "Con Filo," which recently gained viral attention, journalist Michel Torres Corona raises a critical point: the growing wealth among some Cubans, particularly those tied to emerging MIPYMES (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) on the island. Yet, Torres conveniently overlooks the enduring affluence of the Castro family, high-ranking regime officials, and their offspring, who have enjoyed global travel and privileges since the onset of the "Revolution." This kind of prosperity doesn't seem to bother him. He turns a blind eye to those shopping in Madrid or enjoying luxury yachts in the Mediterranean. The opulent lifestyles of the regime's elite, living in mansions or studying abroad, evade his critique. His ire is reserved for those who earn their prosperity through hard work, effort, and entrepreneurship. Those benefiting from public funds are seemingly immune from his criticism.

The Misguided Crusade Against Prosperity

What is being marketed as a "battle against inequality" is, in truth, an assault on prosperity itself. To be clear, the issue isn't inequality; it's the widespread poverty that plagues the nation. The solution lies not in targeting those who manage to rise above it, but in allowing everyone the opportunity to achieve similar success. For decades, the official narrative has attempted to convince us that equality means everyone must be equally impoverished. According to Torres Corona and other regime spokespersons, the existence of prosperous Cubans (those who can afford a car or high electricity bills) is a social injustice. Wouldn't it be more logical to aspire for all Cubans to have the chance to reach that level of prosperity?

Debunking the Myth of a Finite Economy

The economy isn't a finite pie. Wealth isn't a fixed treasure that, when one person takes a piece, leaves less for others. Wealth is created and multiplied. An entrepreneur who starts a business isn't taking away from anyone; quite the opposite, they are generating jobs, services, and products that didn't exist before. When a Cuban imports a new car, it comes from their efforts, not at the expense of others. The logic of Torres Corona and similar regime mouthpieces only holds under the communist belief that everything belongs to the state, and therefore, anything anyone possesses "extra" has been taken from others. In a world where people can thrive through their effort and ingenuity, this logic is flawed. One person's prosperity doesn't impoverish others; on the contrary, it often generates a multiplier effect of opportunities for everyone.

A Legacy of Envy and Control

At its core, this rhetoric is nothing but the same envy-driven policy that has guided Castroism since 1959. Initially, the rich were targeted, followed by entrepreneurs, small merchants, Catholics, homosexuals, rock music fans, or those with long hair. Anyone who stood out, who was different, who rose above the average, became an enemy. Now, it's the turn of MIPYMES entrepreneurs. The message is clear: "If I can't have it, neither should you." This mentality has plunged Cuba into poverty. This battle against prosperity, in the name of equality, not only fails to improve the lives of the less fortunate but ensures that those who achieve success are dragged down into widespread misery.

The Contradiction Within the Regime

Another aspect we cannot overlook is the reality that among current MIPYMES, many Cuban entrepreneurs have ventured into creating businesses with their money, effort, and support from family abroad. However, it is well-known that others are relatives, associates, friends, or mere fronts for regime leaders, who have used their connections to rapidly establish prosperous enterprises. These businesses do not arise by chance but through the regime's will to grant privileges to a select group of "controlled entrepreneurs."

This reality reveals an internal contradiction within the ruling elite. On one side, there are those who see these MIPYMES as an opportunity to maintain a certain, albeit limited, economic openness, provided that profits remain in the hands of the regime’s allies and relatives. On the other side, a more doctrinaire faction refuses to accept even this. For them, any sign of private prosperity, however regulated, is a threat to the narrative of "socialist equality."

The internal struggle between these two groups seeps into the discourse of programs like "Con Filo." Critics of MIPYMES, such as Michel Torres, typically represent the more orthodox line, viewing private wealth as heresy. This faction not only opposes the prosperity of ordinary citizens but also questions the profits of the regime's "official partners," exposing a fracture within the governing ranks. They do not challenge the vast fortunes of the Castro family or the children of generals but target minor allies, possibly as part of a power struggle for internal economic control.

The True Battle: Freedom Over Prosperity

The root issue isn't inequality but the lack of freedom. What should truly concern us is that only a select group of cronies can easily establish businesses while the rest of Cubans cannot. All Cubans should be FREE to create businesses in any field, to do whatever they wish with their lives. In a society where everyone can act, think, and express themselves as they please, the result is a diversity of lifestyles. Some may choose to live with minimal resources, while others strive for more, either for themselves or their families. But that choice should be free. True social justice isn't about everyone having the same, but about everyone having the ability to choose their path. Why can't Cubans dream?

The Cuban regime has never allowed this. They control the narrative, resources, education, and the economy. They want Cubans to depend on them for everything: from rationed food to internet access, jobs, and business opportunities. Any sign of independence is punished with repression, confiscation, or public defamation.

The path forward isn't a battle against prosperity but a fight for freedom. When we achieve that, everyone will be more prosperous. And by then, Michel Torres and his "Con Filo" will be nothing more than a memory of the era of institutionalized misery.