Criticism is not allowed even at the Central Committee meeting!

HAVANA.- This December 10, International Human Rights Dayhas had some peculiar characteristics in Cuba (to say the least). To begin with, the Castro-communist regime chose to maintain independent journalists and pro-democracy activists besieged. This reality has been reported by various means of the alternative press. This is the case of this same digital newspaper, without going any further. This, of course, is nothing new in our unfortunate Homeland.

What does constitute an innovation—and a striking one, at that—was a report dedicated to the anniversary that was broadcast by the National Television News. This is unusual… Because are we going to forget that a few years ago the old men in the unconditional service of the regime were ordered to shout, in the infamous “acts of repudiation”, a crazy slogan: “Down with human rights!”? What goes from yesterday to today!

In the meantime, the official newspaper of the only party, on its front page, published an article with an attractive and lying title: ““Cuba defends full dignity for all”. The downpipe cites a phrase from the Apostle, along with another from Fidel Castro that allows us to assess the extremes of shamelessness to which this character was capable: “The Cuban Revolution can be synthesized as an aspiration for social justice within the fullest freedom and the most absolute respect for human rights.”

But what has led this author to analyze the Cuban press on this date is not so much the blatant manipulation that, on the day of its commemoration, is done to those inalienable rights. There is another announcement that – I believe – is of even greater importance, and that is included in the official organ of Castro-communism under a concise title: “The XI Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Party will meet only on December 13.”

The text of the release specifies not only that duration of a single day; It also informs that the event will be held “via videoconference.” As a pretext for the unusual measure, it is argued: “This decision will contribute to guaranteeing the greater permanence of the main cadres at the base, informing, controlling and managing the solution of those problems that impact the quality of life of the people and the reduction of financial and material expenses.”

Whoever is interested in highlighting the seams of these rude demagogic approaches will not face any difficulty. Look at expressing concern about “the reduction of expenses” (which would cause a few dozen interprovincial trips)… and that they do it, in addition, when every other week we also find out about the international flights – those are expensive – in first class that the mayimbes on duty make.

But, furthermore, these hierarchs do not do them alone. Well, in the case of Mr. “Homeless,” apart from a well-stocked entourage, it is normal for him to be accompanied by his wife (who is not the “First Lady,” as he himself has said and acknowledged), but who travels and behaves as if she were, in addition to flaunting clothes and other items from recognized brands that — as we all know — are very expensive.

Or since you are worried about the expenses that a few trips within Cuba itself may cause, why don’t you think about putting a stop to those that Raúl Castro’s grandson systematically makes to Panama? That character — better known as “the Crab” — made 25 trips to Panama by private jet in less than two years. That is to say: an average of more than one per month. And these “financial and material expenses” do not worry the bosses in Havana.

Of course, the other pretext invoked to justify the non-face-to-face nature of the important event is even weaker. They want us to believe that the regional heads—who spend months in the towns where they live without resolving absolutely anything—could be prevented from resolving some specific issue in their territory by spending a couple of days in the capital. One cannot define who to consider more stupid: the mayimbe who came up with that primitive allegation or the ordinary Cubans who are supposed to be willing to accept it as good.

I believe that reality is a thousand miles away from the pretexts invoked in the aforementioned official announcement. The thing, I think, is much more serious and sordid: the ruling class is aware of its absolute ineffectiveness in leading the country’s destinies (you don’t need to be a genius to understand it). And it is reasonable to expect that, at a certain point, certain members will appear in the Central Committee willing to criticize the current leadership.

But of course an event held via videoconference is subject to all the manipulations that bosses want to do. This includes possible connection drops orchestrated by employees appointed by those same managers when someone begins to raise something that is “not appropriate.” This modus operandi would prevent potential critics from developing any hypothetical argument directed against the ineffective leadership.

So it is not appropriate for us to accept as good the supposed concern of the communist mayimbes to reduce transportation costs or make possible the solution of local problems that have not been resolved for months. No: what actually exists is the terror that, within the supreme permanent body of its only party – the Central Committee – some dissenting voice will emerge that could lead to changes in the leadership or, at least, to erode even in part the absolute control that the current leadership team seems to maintain.

In other words, the blatant manipulation of the current mayimbes will also be extended to the body to which everyone is supposed to obey—the Central Committee. The other are stories from the road. Whoever wants to believe them.