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Cuba's Leadership Warns of Social Unrest Amidst Summer Tensions

Sunday, July 6, 2025 by Christopher Ramirez

On July 5th, Miguel Díaz-Canel delivered a stark message during the closing of the 10th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba: "We are a nation at war." This isn't just rhetoric; it's the rallying cry meant to unify a fatigued populace grappling with daily blackouts, rampant inflation, widespread shortages, and unchecked emigration.

From the Palace of the Revolution, the Cuban leader once again highlighted external adversaries as the primary culprits for the nation's internal turmoil. He claimed that Cuba has been "living and resisting under wartime conditions for over six decades," facing "economic bombs" and "bombs of misinformation, distortion, and hatred."

Díaz-Canel asserted that the most insidious goal is to fracture the nation, leading the victim to blame itself rather than the oppressor. In this "besieged fortress" mindset, he fiercely criticized the United States government, accusing it of implementing a "version of the Mallory Memorandum" through a new National Security Presidential Memorandum, which he claims continues to "intensify the economic warfare" and isolate Cuba globally.

The Cuban president warned that Washington aims to incite a social "outburst" in the summer months—a recurring theme in his speeches since the protests of July 11, 2021, which now loom as a constant threat. "Once again, the empire bets on a political and social crisis leading to an eruption during the summer," he stated, while cautioning against campaigns of "subversion, confusion, and disorientation" targeting the people.

He offered no specific figures, outcomes, or timelines, but reiterated that all solutions must come from within Cuba itself, despite the "extremely challenging" outlook he described.

Endurance, Ideology, and Youth Engagement

The term "resistance," mentioned over a dozen times throughout the speech, remains the hallmark of the official narrative. This time, it was paired with the adjective "intelligent." According to Díaz-Canel, it's not merely about enduring but about devising solutions "with creativity and courage."

He called for active participation from the populace, especially the youth, in the "crucial processes for the sustenance and development of society." Concurrently, he emphasized strengthening "patriotic and revolutionary education" and vowed zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, or drug use.

Meanwhile, the majority of Cubans on the island continue to contend with a collapsed energy system, inadequate wages, deteriorating public services, and ongoing migration. Yet for Díaz-Canel, the Party acts as a shield, and he concluded by announcing the IX Congress of the PCC as a new milestone of "heroic resistance."

Understanding Cuba's Current Challenges and Leadership

What is the current situation in Cuba as described by Díaz-Canel?

Díaz-Canel described Cuba as a nation "at war," facing daily hardships like blackouts, inflation, shortages, and ongoing emigration, while attributing these issues to external adversaries.

How does Díaz-Canel perceive the role of the United States in Cuba's challenges?

Díaz-Canel accuses the United States of exacerbating economic challenges through a strategy reminiscent of the Mallory Memorandum, aiming to isolate Cuba and provoke social unrest.

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