GDP isn't a measure of human development or happiness. Cuba has lower infant mortality and higher life expectancy than most countries on the same continent, despite the brutal (and illegal) blockade by the US. They're doing a great deal with very little, which if anything suggests the "regime" is very effective.

There were some protests in Cuba, of course as usual presented in the western media as anti-government. Unsurprisingly, they were dwarfed by pro-government counter-protests.