Leonides Socías Calzada

"Generally, our generation believed in change. Back then, we could call ourselves Fidelists. We believed in Fidel, we hoped for change. Many of us didn’t emigrate because we were waiting for that change that never came. We waited for it and decided not to leave, choosing instead to continue supporting the process we had. Until we finally realized that the long-awaited change never arrived."

“Before, with 20 pesos, you could manage the situation and more or less get by. Now, with 10,000 pesos, you can’t do anything. So, which Special Period is harder? The one where there was nothing, or this one, where everything is available, but you have no access to it? Because economically, the population has no access to essential products. Back then, if something appeared, you could buy it. That’s why, when making a comparison, I say that today there is even more Special Period than there was back then. And back then, a solution was sought to overcome it. Who will find the solution to this one?”

“The Maleconazo was, I believe, the first uprising, the first explosive spark of discontent that occurred in the country. In a way, because it stemmed from a new feeling about certain measures that were taken, harming several families. I can't speak about it with certainty and solid arguments because it's just what was spread around, what was said, what was rumored—that it was related to the sinking of the 13 de Marzo tugboat, and that families protested against what had happened. I don’t really know the exact facts of what took place. But it originated from several families who began to protest, without even imagining what would happen, or that people would follow them. A small group went out to protest in the streets, and suddenly, unexpectedly, more and more people started joining them, the same population, until it became something much bigger. A powerful spark ignited, spreading into a wave of unrest that became increasingly difficult to contain, which, as a result, led to very unpleasant events. Because then came the counteraction. It was a group of the population facing off against the so-called contingents. And there were many unpleasant events—violence, condemnation from one side, protest from the other. But it was something that no one expected.“