In a recent interview with the project La Familia Cubana, several prominent Cuban artists voiced their unfiltered criticisms about the current state of the island. During an interactive segment where participants were asked to “Complain About Something Publicly,” comedian Osvaldo Doimeadiós was quick to highlight the issues that trouble him the most: “the elderly, retirement, and outrageous prices, all the economic changes that have resolved nothing.” Doimeadiós also condemned the lack of public transportation and the indifference of leaders, stating, “It pains me to see decision-makers in their cars while there isn’t a single bus running in the city. I say this publicly, and if they get upset, they should provide buses, just like they do for parades.”
Jorge Martínez was equally direct, emphasizing, “What people in other provinces are going through with children and the elderly is inhumane. It’s not enough to show up and say everything is fine. One must dive into the issues and work to solve them.” He added, “What really bothers me are the trivial, stupid excuses—as if I were an idiot, as if I hadn’t been raised here, as if I can’t see. This way of treating me like I’m nothing, justifying with baseless claims, it’s the dishonesty of people.”
Actress Belissa Cruz depicted the somber atmosphere in the capital today, saying, “It’s decadence, we’re getting worse. You walk around and see how everything is fading away. Just recently, I was in a taxi along 23rd Street, thinking ‘my God,’ it felt like a ghost town. There’s silence, no joy, no New Year’s Eve, no Christmas, nothing like I remember as a child—neighbors visiting each other’s homes. Joy and desire are gone; it’s all about survival, every man for himself.”
Meanwhile, Alejandro Cuervo lamented the neglect leading to the current energy crisis: “What frustrates me the most is that the majority of the energy problems are due to neglect, from not paying attention 15 or 20 years ago. That’s how the system works, addressing the most severe issues and then forgetting the others. No one anticipated two years ago that we’d be back to blackouts, as we are now, perhaps even worse than in the 1990s.”
The artists agreed that the situation outside Havana is even more dire, portraying a country crumbling under the weight of government neglect, economic crisis, and everyday despair.
FAQs on Cuba’s Current Situation
What are the main concerns of Cuban artists about the island’s situation?
Cuban artists are primarily concerned with the deteriorating conditions for the elderly, high prices, lack of public transportation, and the overwhelming neglect by the government. They also highlight the energy crisis and the loss of joy and community spirit as critical issues.
How do the living conditions differ between Havana and other provinces?
The living conditions in provinces outside of Havana are reported to be even worse, with more severe challenges in terms of resources and infrastructure, reflecting a deeper level of neglect and hardship.
Why is there an energy crisis in Cuba according to the artists?
Artists attribute the energy crisis to years of neglect and lack of attention to infrastructure, leading to the return of blackouts, mirroring conditions not seen since the 1990s.
