The Cuban activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, now living in exile in the United States, delivered a powerful rebuke to leader Miguel Díaz-Canel following his congratulatory message on International Children's Day. Many have labeled his remarks as hypocritical and out of touch with the harsh realities faced by children in Cuba. "Sir, clean your mouth before speaking about Cuban children," Salcedo wrote in a Facebook post that swiftly went viral among Cubans both on the island and abroad. "What childhood, what rights? What happiness? Your cynicism is appalling!" she added. Her post also conveyed the sentiments of "all the mothers who cannot express their feelings from within Cuba."
Salcedo's emotional outburst was a direct response to a post on the social network X, where Díaz-Canel marked Children's Day with an optimistic message: "Where resources are lacking, imagination should abound. The future deserves it. Long live International Children's Day." This phrase, intended to inspire creativity amid scarcity, drew sharp criticism from those who reminded the leader that Cuban children face a starkly different reality: chronic shortages of food, medicine, school supplies, and even treats, alongside worsening social conditions.
Ironically, the government itself has recently had to acknowledge the presence of child labor and begging—issues that the official discourse claimed had been eradicated by the Revolution decades ago. Rather than taking direct responsibility, Díaz-Canel blamed families for what he termed acts of "shamelessness," thus sidestepping the collapse of the country's social and economic system.
Examples like that of Pablo, a 16-year-old who makes charcoal to support his family, or Cristian, a child who mows lawns for income, highlight the extreme conditions many Cuban children endure to survive.
Salcedo's critique ends with a message filled with indignation and warning: "You are as deceitful as you are unpleasant and despicable. The end is near, and you know it. You will pay for all the crimes committed! You will find no forgiveness!" Amid the island's ongoing economic and social crisis, voices like Salcedo's reflect the pain, helplessness, and anger of thousands of Cuban mothers, who, despite being silenced within the country, find resonance in exile and on social media.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Children
What hardships do Cuban children currently face?
Cuban children are experiencing severe shortages in food, medicine, school supplies, and even basic treats. They are also dealing with increasing social instability.
How has the Cuban government responded to the issue of child labor?
The Cuban government has recently acknowledged the existence of child labor and begging, issues they previously claimed had been eradicated by the Revolution.