The youth collective 'Fuera de la Caja Cuba' delivered a bold response on Monday via video to the regime's announcement of 176 economic measures, declaring that no reform can mend decades of suffering and insisting the only solution is for the government to step down.
"Reforms won't fix 67 years of suffering. What Cuba truly needs... is for them to leave once and for all," the group posted on their X account, using the hashtag #makecubagreatagain.
This declaration comes four days after Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz introduced the 176-measure economic package to the National Assembly, which the regime touts as the most significant reform in decades.
The Irony of Capitalist Reforms
"Get this: international store chains, franchises, brands, foreign investment in real estate, even farmers can export their goods... this is pure capitalism!" exclaims young Abel Alejandro Andrés Navarro in the video.
Responding with palpable irony, Amanda Beatriz Andrés Navarro retorts, "So why did they spend 67 years building socialism? If capitalism is so great, it's even good enough to save socialism!"
A Glimpse at the Economic Measures
The approved measures include the authorization of private banks, creation of private currency exchanges, removal of the 100-worker cap for small and medium-sized enterprises, greater openness to foreign investment, and the gradual introduction of VAT.
Additionally, the package plans to reduce the number of ministries from 27 to between 20 and 21, and increase the minimum wage from 2,100 to 3,210 Cuban pesos, a 53% raise.
Public Discontent Remains High
Despite these changes, public discontent remains strong. According to the Cuban Conflict Observatory, May 2026 recorded 1,311 protests, the highest monthly count documented so far. Protests continued into June, with pot-banging demonstrations, tire burnings, and street blockades in Havana neighborhoods like San Miguel del Padrón, La Güinera, Carlos III, and Centro Habana.
The U.S. government dismissed the reforms as "superficial smoke signals" on June 20, denying that they represent any real structural change.
Activists Demand Accountability
"Why didn't they do it earlier? Did they realize after 67 years? They are so shameless... there are still people imprisoned for suggesting this," Amanda questioned before concluding, "But it's too late now... I just want them gone, no one believes them anymore."
'Fuera de la Caja Cuba' emerged in January 2026 in the Cerro municipality of Havana, formed by four young individuals around 20 years old: Amanda, Abel, Karel Daniel Hernández Bosques, and Mauro Reigos Pérez. The group uses art, theater, and digital content as forms of protest, with red caps bearing the slogan "Make Cuba Great Again" as their trademark.
Since their public debut, the collective has faced systematic reprisals: State Security disabled their phones through ETECSA, hacked their WhatsApp accounts, and conducted intimidating visits to their family homes since February 2026.
Amnesty International documented these intimidations in April 2026, specifically mentioning the group in a report on political repression in Cuba. In May, the head of the U.S. Embassy mission in Havana, Mike Hammer, met with the collective's members, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly sent them greetings and encouragement.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuba's Economic Reforms
What are the key components of the new economic measures in Cuba?
The measures include authorizing private banks, creating private currency exchanges, eliminating the worker cap for SMEs, encouraging foreign investment, and introducing VAT.
How has the public reacted to these reforms?
Despite the reforms, public discontent remains high, with a record number of protests in May 2026 and continued demonstrations into June.
What has been the international response to Cuba's economic reforms?
The U.S. government dismissed the reforms as superficial, indicating they do not represent any real structural change.