In a recent display of the Cuban regime's longstanding strategy to undermine dissent, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel once again branded young Cuban demonstrators as "antisocials." This rhetoric continues the oppressive narrative historically employed by the government to delegitimize peaceful protests on the island.
During the 30th episode of his podcast "Desde La Presidencia," Díaz-Canel engaged with a group of young people, discussing the events of August 1994, known as the Maleconazo uprising. He claimed that "external manipulation" was behind the protests, asserting that the demonstrators did not represent "the true revolutionary people."
By labeling protesters as "criminals" and "antisocials," Díaz-Canel seeks to undermine the legitimacy of social unrest. He further argued that these discontented youths are "far from the thoughts of José Martí" and, thus, need to be "transformed."
"It was a criminal act; imperialism exploited these antisocials, but they are our antisocials, the ones we need to transform, people who are far from Martí's ideology. That's why we must return to Martí," Díaz-Canel declared, suggesting the essay "Martí in Cuba's Current Hour" by Cintio Vitier as a critical read.
He downplayed the Maleconazo, dismissing it as merely a "protest that thought it could topple the revolution." He also referenced Vitier's essay from September of the same year, which warned that those who flee the country or speak out against the system "are also ours," but have been driven to disillusionment.
The leader's comments come as Cuba faces an intensifying crisis, exacerbated by recent announcements regarding the collapse of the national power grid. This issue has been a significant source of public dissatisfaction. The Cuban regime has responded to numerous peaceful protests against power outages with repression and has imprisoned over 1,000 individuals following the July 2021 demonstrations.
Understanding Cuba's Current Political Climate
What sparked the Maleconazo uprising in 1994?
The Maleconazo uprising in 1994 was triggered by widespread dissatisfaction with the Cuban government's policies during a period of severe economic crisis, leading to spontaneous protests primarily in Havana.
How has the Cuban government responded to recent protests?
In recent years, the Cuban government has responded to protests with repression, including the arrest and imprisonment of demonstrators, particularly following the July 2021 protests against economic hardship and government policies.