Cuban essayist and storyteller Enrique del Risco recently contributed an essay titled "I Want to See You Sleep" to the digital magazine In-cubadora. Part of a collective dossier called "Cuba and Its Futures," this piece offers a sharp, ironic look at the current state of the island. Del Risco examines the historical cycles of hope and disappointment, providing a cautionary roadmap for a potential democratic transition.
The political catalyst for the essay is the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. This operation resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban bodyguards and is described by Del Risco as a "sudden show of force" that rekindled the old speculation about Cuba's future.
Adding to this catalyst are statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump, quoted ironically by Del Risco: "A new dawn for Cuba will arrive very soon. We will take care of it"; "It would be a great honor for me to take Cuba... We have Cuba, and we will take Cuba. We'll do it after Iran."
Historical Cycles of Hope and Disillusionment
Del Risco advises caution, reminding readers of previous cycles—the Perestroika, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Cuba's Special Period, and the Obama-era thaw—urging against unrealistic expectations of real change on the island. He acknowledges, however, that "never have there been more hopes or more urgency" than now.
To illustrate the current state of Cuba, Del Risco cites stark statistics: the post-July 11th exodus surpasses one million people, dwarfing the 125,000 during the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and the 35,000 during the 1994 rafters crisis. This has decreased Cuba's population from eleven million to under nine million, leaving behind an aging and impoverished society.
The Economic and Social Landscape
Meanwhile, the military conglomerate GAESA holds assets exceeding $18 billion, and the regime allocates most of its budget to under-occupied hotels, while health, education, and culture combined receive less than 3% of public spending.
Del Risco's arguments are supported by a survey conducted by El Toque, which closed on May 1 with over 42,000 responses, 58% of which came from residents in Cuba facing severe connectivity restrictions.
The survey results are striking: 94% of Cubans are "very dissatisfied" with the government system, 96% see an urgent need for political change, 80.1% desire a transition to a liberal market democracy, and 82.2% identify the lack of civil and political freedoms as the main issue, while only 4.7% blame the U.S. embargo.
Desperation and Future Prospects
More revealing: 60.9% support direct U.S. military intervention and 64.9% endorse the overthrow of the government "by any means necessary, including armed action."
Del Risco interprets these figures not as a sign of hope, but of desperation: a survey reflecting the plight of "a country condemned to death by its political regime."
He warns that Cubans risk being "sidelined" while their oppressors make deals with those who claim to liberate them, as happened in 1898 with the Treaty of Paris or in 1961 with the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Recommendations for Cuba's Future
To those suggesting the Communist Party be outlawed as the first step of a future democracy, Del Risco argues it would be "understandable yet clumsy and counterproductive" in a society where 10% of the adult population belonged to the party. "To assume that outlawing a party eradicates the possibility of evil is like trying to abolish cancerous tumors through presidential decrees."
His recommendations for future Cuba are mostly negative: avoid ideological purity, steer clear of radical methods, distrust charismatic messiahs, protect minorities and individuals, and acknowledge the diaspora's role in reconstruction without allowing that relationship to become exploitative.
The essay concludes with the imagery of musician Raúl Ciro and his song "Villa de París," where he wishes the country a break after decades of historical turmoil: "I want to see you sleep, Cuba." Del Risco embraces this sentiment as a conclusion: "It's about ensuring that poor island a moment of rest."
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Political Future
What triggered Enrique del Risco's essay on Cuba's future?
The essay was triggered by the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent deaths of 32 Cuban bodyguards, which reignited speculation about Cuba's future.
What are the main themes of Enrique del Risco's essay?
The essay explores Cuba's cycles of hope and frustration, the current socio-economic landscape, and offers cautionary advice for a potential democratic transition.
How does Enrique del Risco view the current state of Cuba?
Del Risco sees the current state as one of desperation, with a significant portion of the population dissatisfied with the government and seeking urgent political change.