Argentinian intellectual Rubén Chababo has issued a thought-provoking essay on the CubaxCuba platform, focusing on a pivotal challenge facing Cuba's political transition: how to handle the legacy of over sixty years of socialist rule without resorting to either erasing history or blindly glorifying it.
Chababo, who holds a degree in Literature from the National University of Rosario and served as director of the Museum of Memory in Rosario from 2002 to 2014, posits that the historical era initiated in 1959 is nearing its conclusion. He asserts that the current landscape of despair and disrepair experienced by Cuba's citizens is the most telling image of its present-day reality.
The essay begins with two quotes from writer Mario Vargas Llosa that encapsulate the intellectual journey of an entire Latin American generation. In 1965, Vargas Llosa wrote in Havana's Revolución newspaper that "the Cuban Revolution inaugurates the transformation of America," and later, in 2019, he told Radio Martí, "The myth of Cuba has crumbled."
Complexities of Memory in a Post-Revolution Cuba
Chababo emphasizes that Cuba's impact was not confined to the island but was a significant Latin American and global phenomenon that drew the attention of intellectuals across the ideological spectrum in the latter half of the 20th century. This diversity of perspectives complicates the future discourse on memory: "There will not be a singular narrative about Cuba in retrospect. Instead, many Cubas will emerge, shaped by varied experiences and viewpoints."
To support his argument, Chababo draws on two theoretical frameworks. The first is the concept of "social frameworks of memory" by French sociologist Maurice Halbwachs, which suggests that our memories are shaped by the groups we belong to, not formed in isolation. The second is philosopher Paul Ricoeur's idea of "just memory," which asserts that acknowledging the plurality of memories does not mean all are equally true or morally equivalent. Historical judgment must be maintained.
Resisting Simplistic Narratives
The essay warns that Cuba must resist two symmetrical temptations: erasing the past as if the decades since 1959 were merely a historical error, or preserving the revolutionary narrative as a closed, unyielding entity. Chababo argues that a democratic Cuba must learn to move beyond the Revolution without perpetually defining itself against it. Should the new order be solely defined by its opposition to the past, history would continue to dominate the present, albeit with a reversed narrative.
Furthermore, Chababo calls for self-reflection among those outside Cuba who helped construct the revolutionary myth. He emphasizes that future Cuban leaders must confront issues of state violence and political persecution.
Navigating Toward a New Cuban Future
This discourse gains urgency as it coincides with the 2026 release of the Centro de Estudios Convivencia's Catalog of Proposals, which outlines twenty thematic areas developed by over 991 experts, continuing to explore potential paths for transition. Meanwhile, Prisoners Defenders has reported 1,327 political prisoners on the island as of July 2026, marking the highest number documented by the organization.
Chababo concludes that perhaps the greatest challenge for Cuba's future is not to predetermine which version of Cuba deserves remembrance, but to foster conditions that allow for the coexistence of various narratives: the Cuba of dreams and disillusionment; a refuge and a prison; a source of hope and an enforcer of conformity.
Understanding Cuba's Transition and Memory
What is the main challenge for Cuba in managing its historical memory?
The primary challenge is to navigate between erasing history and glorifying it uncritically, allowing for a balanced narrative that acknowledges various experiences and perspectives.
How does Rubén Chababo suggest Cuba should approach its future narratives?
Chababo advocates for creating conditions that allow the coexistence of multiple narratives, rather than deciding in advance which version of Cuba should be remembered.
What theoretical frameworks does Chababo use to support his essay?
He utilizes Maurice Halbwachs' concept of "social frameworks of memory" and Paul Ricoeur's notion of "just memory" to argue for a nuanced approach to history.