Cuban Comedian Criticizes Regime’s Delayed Response to Arbovirus Epidemic
HAVANA, Cuba – Cuban comedian Ulises toirac has sharply criticized the Cuban government’s delayed acknowledgement of a widespread arbovirus epidemic, stating the situation has become “uncontrollable” after months of escalating illness across the country.The government only recently began publicly addressing the outbreak of dengue, chikungunya, and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Toirac voiced his concerns in a Facebook post on November 13,lamenting that authorities waited until the epidemic was already severe to recognise it.”Two or three days ago there was talk for the first time of an arbovirus epidemic in Cuba, while people were dropping like flies for three months in places like Matanzas,” he wrote.
the comedian recently joked about contracting chikungunya, quipping he was “fashionable” in getting sick. However, his recent post takes a more serious tone, describing the regime’s initial response as “indolence” and accusing health authorities of denying the severity of the outbreak for weeks despite clear evidence.
Toirac highlighted the ideal conditions for arbovirus spread in Cuba, citing a lack of sanitation and widespread garbage accumulation. “The country is a kind of panacea for these insects,” he stated, adding that the sheer number of mosquitoes makes containment “virtually impossible.” he also criticized the lack of public health guidance and information provided to citizens, stating the population has been left vulnerable and has suffered consequences, “including death.”
The comedian’s statement reflects growing public discontent over the epidemiological crisis. Reports from doctors, activists, and citizens indicate a collapse in the hospital system and a critical shortage of resources to combat the epidemic, which the government allegedly attempted to conceal.Recent reports detail hospital collapses and resource shortages as the government struggled to address the growing health crisis.
