Ulises Toirac Challenges Cuban Political Paradigm: "Who Decides Who Steps Forward?"

On Tuesday, Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac posed a provocative question on his Facebook profile that cuts to the heart of Cuba's heated political discourse: "Who is the Revolution that decides who should step forward and who should step back? Who is the Revolution?"

This query is neither abstract nor trivial. It surfaces shortly after Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of Raúl Castro and widely known as "El Cangrejo," granted his first interview to a U.S. media outlet—published by USA Today on July 6. In it, he stated, "I've never been interested in politics. It's never been my calling. But if the revolution ever needs me, I'll be there."

Toirac's public question aims to dismantle this statement, which utilizes the term "Revolution" as an entity that summons and legitimizes a successor without any democratic mandate.

The Enigma of "El Cangrejo"

At 42, El Cangrejo serves as a colonel in the Ministry of the Interior and has been in charge of his grandfather's personal security since 2016, holding no elected official title. He welcomed the USA Today journalist in Raúl Castro's former office at the Havana Convention Center, casually dressed in tight jeans, a Hugo Boss t-shirt, and Hermès sneakers—a stark contrast to the power outages lasting up to 25 hours endured by the Cuban populace.

During the interview, he also remarked, "I can negotiate with anyone appointed by the U.S. If given the chance, of course with Trump," adding, "It pains me that people can't live like I do. I envision a Cuba where people can buy foie gras at supermarkets."

Public Backlash and Metaphorical Critique

Toirac’s post sparked a massive response from his followers. References to crabs, creatures that "move backward," flooded the comments, turning Raúl's grandson's nickname into a metaphor for the country's direction. "I've never seen a crab step forward," one user chuckled. Another queried, "What mental gymnastics will they use to explain how 'El Cangrejo' can negotiate Cuba's foreign policy and influence the freedom of political prisoners over the president of the Republic?"

Many comments touched on the nebulous nature of the concept itself. "The revolution is that abstract entity whose last name is all we know, its destructive capability directly proportional to the embargo’s excuse," wrote one follower. Another was more blunt: "Revolution is the name of the estate." A third comment noted, "A revolution is framed within a period," continuing that the term is still used "to legitimize power," while what exists in Cuba is "a phase of conservative stagnation." Some succinctly concluded: "This is a monarchy; there hasn't been a revolution here for a long time."

Legal and Political Implications

Others raised the underlying legal issue: "Who assumes legal responsibility if decisions are made by this concept called 'Revolution,' but the common citizen always pays the price?"

Some warned Toirac to be cautious, recalling the proverb about the pitcher and the source. The comedian has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of the system, having described Cuba as a "failed state" and calling the nation "a labyrinth without a solution."

The rise of El Cangrejo in political discourse isn't new: the CIA Director, John Ratcliffe, had already met with him in Havana on May 14, 2026, marking the highest-ranking Trump administration official's visit to Cuban soil since 2016.

"Revolution is the camouflage used to disguise what has always been the opposite: totalitarian dictatorship," summarized another commentator. Without accusing or naming names, Toirac's question conveyed everything.