Cuban economist and entrepreneur Yurek Vázquez has asserted that the lack of a market economy in Cuba has led to the collapse not only of commerce but also of education, family structures, and individual dignity.
In a video shared on his Instagram account, Vázquez, who also contributes to Mundiario and founded the Wall Street Business Academy in Miami, provided a comprehensive analysis of Cuba's collapse from an economic standpoint.
He argues that when a country eliminates free enterprise, it does not merely restrict commercial activities but initiates a structural degradation process that eventually impacts all aspects of social life.
Vázquez emphasized that in Cuba, it is not just the banking system or productive infrastructure that has collapsed but also the national identity, education system, and social cohesion.
In his assessment, the prolonged imposition of a state-controlled model, where the government dictates what to do, how to produce, and how to live, stifles creativity, suppresses individual initiative, and erodes personal dignity in seeking one's own livelihood.
The expert directly linked the loss of hope to family disintegration and mass emigration.
He highlighted that the lack of opportunities forces young people to risk their lives at sea, with tragic consequences, as a result of a system that denies the possibility of personal advancement.
For Vázquez, Cuba exemplifies the fate of any society where free enterprise is stifled—an unyielding path towards impoverishment and chaos.
His statements come amid a growing debate about the structural causes of Cuba's crisis, characterized by chronic shortages, deterioration of basic services, and the continuous exodus of professionals and young people from the country.
Public Reactions
The message sparked a wave of supportive comments. Many users agreed that while capitalism is not perfect, socialism and communism represent "the death of human hope."
Others praised the analysis for its straightforward and unembellished tone, describing it as one of the clearest explanations of the Cuban reality.
Recurring comments emphasized the loss of dignity, despair, hunger, and the feeling of living in "total chaos," blaming the current political and economic model for the country's destruction.
Impact of Economic Policies on Cuban Society
How has the absence of a free market affected Cuban society?
The absence of a free market in Cuba has led to the collapse of commerce, education, family structures, and individual dignity, causing widespread social degradation.
What are the consequences of the state-controlled model in Cuba?
The state-controlled model in Cuba stifles creativity, suppresses individual initiative, and erodes personal dignity, leading to mass emigration and family disintegration.
Why do young Cubans risk their lives to emigrate?
Young Cubans risk their lives to emigrate due to a lack of opportunities and the oppressive system that denies personal advancement, often resulting in tragic outcomes.