Cuban Regime Commemorates Fidel Castro's Birth by Planting a Tree in Galicia

In Láncara, Galicia—birthplace of the father of the late dictator Fidel Castro—the Cuban regime's embassy in Santiago de Compostela held a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the start of Fidel's Centennial Year, coinciding with the 99th anniversary of his birth. The event unfolded at the "Ángel Castro" House Museum, which functions as the Center for the Interpretation of Galician Emigration. The commemoration featured the symbolic planting of a tree, which the regime touted as a tribute to their historic leader's memory.

A Propaganda-Driven Event

The ceremony, organized in collaboration with the Association of Friendship Láncara-Cuba, was attended by Marcelino Medina González, the Cuban ambassador in Madrid, alongside Galician officials, political and union members, Cubans living in Spain, and groups supporting the Cuban government. The gathering served as a platform for political exaltation.

Political Reverence and Historical Ties

Speakers at the event praised the Cuban dictator, emphasizing what they described as the "significance" of his work and ideas. They also highlighted the historical connections between Galicia and Cuba, while reiterating the official narrative against the U.S. embargo, which they labeled a "criminal blockade." Such international celebrations, particularly in European countries, are part of the Cuban regime's strategy to project a sanitized version of its history, even as economic crisis, political repression, and social discontent persist on the island.

Transformation of a Historical Site

The "Ángel Castro" House Museum in Láncara was inaugurated in 2022 during a ceremony attended by Emma Castro Ruz, the youngest of the Galician emigrant's children in Cuba, and her niece, Mariela Castro Espín. The natal home of Fidel, Raúl Castro, and their siblings faced challenges in its transformation due to complex inheritance issues involving over 20 heirs. This obstacle was overcome when the family donated the property to the Láncara-Cuba Friendship and Solidarity Association, a process facilitated by Antonio Sobrado, the head of the promoting team and a Láncara businessman.

Nationwide Homage to Fidel's Legacy

On Wednesday, the Cuban regime launched a series of tributes across the country for Fidel Castro's birthday. The governing Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his wife, Lis Cuesta, paid a visit to the stone holding Castro's ashes at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, as part of the official activities commemorating the 99th anniversary of the dictator's birth.

Simultaneously, symbolic events took place in his father's hometown and other key locations associated with the leader's image, including exhibitions, conferences, and cultural galas, all aimed at celebrating his legacy and reviving his image as an essential ideological symbol. These activities are not confined to official venues: thousands of young communists annually engage in reenactments and street performances. Reinforced by the Communist Party and cultural organizations, these efforts aim to keep Castro's memory alive among younger generations, amid a backdrop of economic turmoil and social unrest, underscoring once again the regime's prioritization of propaganda over the actual needs of the populace.