The Cuban regime's propaganda machine is making another attempt to contain the fallout from the controversy sparked by Miguel Díaz-Canel's reference to "utopia" during an interview with RT in Spanish.
Reasons of Cuba, a digital outlet linked to the State Security, is trying to repair the leader's image by citing Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes, a deputy and private entrepreneur, as a figure of authority.
The pro-government site published an article titled "The Meme vs. Reality: What Díaz-Canel Really Said (and Nobody Replicated)," based on a post by the deputy outlining the "10 most important messages" from the interview. In summary, these points include:
Key Points from Díaz-Canel's Interview
Acknowledgment of Failures: Díaz-Canel confessed that previous reforms were flawed in their design, implementation, and communication.
Ongoing Reforms: He noted that over 170 transformations have been identified, with 121 set to be implemented by the end of July.
Economic Transformation: He emphasized that the goal is to revamp the economy rather than merely managing the crisis.
Wealth Creation: He advocated for boosting production and generating wealth before distributing it with social justice in mind.
Economic Crisis: He admitted the severity of the situation, characterized by fuel shortages, import issues, and financial constraints.
Flexibility in Measures: He pointed out that policies could be adjusted if they do not yield the expected results.
Social Protection: He reiterated that reforms should safeguard support for the most vulnerable sectors.
Foreign Investment: He confirmed that Cuba will continue to seek international capital as part of its economic strategy.
Dialogue Commitment: He expressed readiness for dialogue with the United States and other parties, provided there is mutual respect.
The "Utopia" Misunderstanding: The author argues that the controversy over the word overshadowed the interview's true focus on economic reforms, production, investment, and structural changes.
Pérez Reyes claims that Cubans often end up discussing 10% or less of a story while ignoring the remaining 90%. He implicitly praised the elements of Díaz-Canel's statements that he deemed significant.
Who is Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes?
Pérez Reyes serves as a deputy for the Playa municipality in Havana and is the founder of the tech microenterprise Dofleini S.R.L.
He has occasionally criticized the Cuban economic model, stating that transformation cannot remain just slogans and relies on three components: people, energy, and leadership.
However, he does not operate outside the regime's management nor advocates for radical changes in Cuba. In March 2026, he reaffirmed his unwavering support for Díaz-Canel, stating, "I follow my president."
Why Are the "Utopia" Memes Concerning for the Regime?
The situation began on July 20, when Díaz-Canel responded to a question about whether Cuba could overcome its economic crisis with a philosophical metaphor: "Utopia is on the horizon. When we take two steps forward, utopia takes two steps back. And the horizon moves ten steps forward. What is utopia for? To keep moving."
He mistakenly paraphrased a statement by the late Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano, and his words quickly went viral, sparking numerous memes.
Díaz-Canel's remarks left Cubans with a clear impression that the regime lacks concrete solutions to escape the crisis.
On July 24, Cubadebate attempted its own defense with an article titled "Díaz-Canel's Utopia, the Same One That Brought Us Here." The effort backfired, with the headline being interpreted as a summary of seven decades of Castroism.
Understanding Díaz-Canel's "Utopia" Controversy
What led to the controversy over Díaz-Canel's "utopia" comment?
Díaz-Canel's use of "utopia" in a metaphorical statement about the economic crisis was interpreted as lacking concrete solutions, leading to widespread mockery and memes.
Who is Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes and what is his role?
Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes is a deputy for Havana's Playa municipality and founder of a tech company, known for occasionally critiquing Cuba's economic model.
How did Cubadebate's article affect the situation?
Cubadebate's attempt to defend Díaz-Canel with an article titled "Díaz-Canel's Utopia, the Same One That Brought Us Here" was counterproductive, as it was seen as a critique of decades of Castroism.