In Ciego de Ávila, some residents expressed that witnessing General Raúl Castro's public appearance during the national ceremony for the 72nd anniversary of the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks assaults on July 26 was "wonderful."
"This July 26 event has been wonderful. The joy and pride among Avilanians are immense because the people showed loyalty to the Revolution. We are satisfied and grateful to the country's leadership and seeing Raúl was something wonderful for us," an emotional woman shared with National Television.
Another interviewee echoed the excitement of seeing the nonagenarian leader, who has limited his public appearances in recent years. The event served as a tribute to the dictator Fidel Castro and Raúl himself, who attended alongside other regime leaders. However, many perceived the gathering as a meticulously orchestrated political spectacle that starkly contrasts with the harsh reality faced by Cubans.
Amid widespread power outages, rampant inflation, shortages, and over 1,000 political prisoners, many Cubans question statements like those from the Avilanian residents. They believe such remarks are less a spontaneous reaction and more a recycled piece of propaganda designed to bolster a narrative of supposed emotional ties between the people and the leaders responsible for the crisis.
The presence of Raúl Castro, Ramiro Valdés, and José Ramón Machado Ventura, all in their nineties, highlights not only the aging of the historic leadership but also the regime's inability to renew its legitimacy. The same faces that have held power for decades only reinforce the sense of stagnation.
Compounding this is the rhetoric of Manuel Marrero, who instead of proposing concrete solutions, resorted to empty phrases like "national dignity is non-negotiable," while promising—without any explanation—that the country's most severe problems would be resolved by 2026.
As the cultural gala took place, millions of Cubans endured power outages lasting over 24 hours, food shortages, lack of medicine, and repression. Several activists agreed that the July 26 event in Ciego de Ávila, with its choreographed tribunes and the symbolic presence of Raúl Castro, was not a tribute to the people but to a power structure that refuses to surrender, despite running out of answers.
Key Issues Surrounding Raúl Castro's Public Appearance
What was the significance of Raúl Castro's appearance in Ciego de Ávila?
Raúl Castro's appearance in Ciego de Ávila was significant as it marked a rare public outing for the nonagenarian leader during a national ceremony. It was seen as both a tribute to the Castro legacy and a political statement by the regime.
How did the residents of Ciego de Ávila react to the event?
Some residents expressed joy and pride, viewing the event as a demonstration of loyalty to the Revolution. However, others criticized it as a staged political show that ignored the dire realities facing everyday Cubans.
What challenges are Cubans currently facing?
Cubans are grappling with widespread power outages, uncontrollable inflation, shortages of essential goods, and an increasing number of political prisoners, contributing to a climate of uncertainty and frustration.