In the early hours of Wednesday, August 13, a date annually marked by official Cuban media to commemorate Fidel Castro's birth, a baby named Milán Daimel Montejo Machado was born in Matanzas. The newborn is the child of Liliana Machado Alfonso, a 33-year-old first-time mother who describes this moment as the greatest blessing of her life. The account was shared by state journalist Yuni Moliner, who highlighted the timing of the birth at precisely 1:30 am, coinciding with what would have been the 99th birthday of the deceased dictator. The report frames this coincidence as newsworthy, despite its merely anecdotal nature.
During the events celebrating this occasion, local officials presented the mother with a gift basket containing items for the baby's care. This gesture is portrayed by the regime as a "tradition of support and solidarity" for families welcoming new members on this particular date. The birth, coupled with the unexpected official gift basket, provides some relief to the young mother amidst the severe economic crisis.
In Cuba, however, the propaganda machine never misses a chance to idolize—or embarrassingly glorify—the personality of one of the continent's most notorious dictators. A birth becomes yet another symbolic act in service of the regime's narrative, starkly contrasting the innocence of new life with the anniversary of a dictator's birth responsible for impoverishing millions. "I feel really good; they treated me wonderfully. Everything has been beautiful, and truly, thank you all," the mother expressed to the media, while posing for photos in a setting likely meticulously prepared for the occasion.
Every August 13, amidst slogans, flowers, and archival photos, the Cuban regime adds another chapter to its declining and absurd ritual of idolizing Fidel Castro, who ironically requested that no such personality cult be created. This year, amidst diapers and speeches, a newborn was woven into that script. Yet, this was not the only spectacle of the day.
In a regime where intellectual scarcity among its leaders is ever-increasing, the official propaganda machine continues to find new ways to delve into absurdity and irrelevance. This includes the antics of the Union of Young Communists (UJC) in Santiago de Cuba, who decided that the best tribute to the dictator's "legacy" was to take a dip at Berraco Beach on August 13. Similarly, the current ruler, Miguel Díaz-Canel, took to social media to assert that the infamous Fidel Castro is in "full afterlife," suggesting he is somehow still celebrating his 99th birthday, as if he were an active mummy on social media and ideological pyramid schemes.
Understanding Cuba's Propaganda and Celebrations
Why is Fidel Castro's birthday still commemorated in Cuba?
Fidel Castro's birthday is commemorated in Cuba as part of the regime's effort to maintain his legacy and reinforce the ideals of the socialist state. The celebrations are used as a tool for propaganda and to promote national unity under the current government.
What significance does the gift basket have for new mothers in Cuba?
The gift basket, presented by local officials, symbolizes the regime's supposed tradition of support and solidarity with families. It provides practical assistance to new mothers, especially during the ongoing economic hardships in Cuba.
How does the Cuban regime use propaganda in everyday events?
The Cuban regime often uses propaganda to highlight its achievements and reinforce its ideological stance. Everyday events, such as a birth on a significant date, are turned into opportunities to promote the regime's narrative and celebrate its historical figures.