In a nation where citizens count power outages to determine if food will spoil before reaching their tables, Cuba's ruling elite gathered in Birán to mark what would have been Fidel Castro's 99th birthday. Determined to keep alive the myth of the dictator responsible for the country's current state of disrepair, the regime relies heavily on propaganda.
Accompanied by Miguel Díaz-Canel and the entire Communist Party apparatus, a frail and elderly Raúl Castro attended the main event held at the Castro-Ruz family's birthplace museum. This site has been transformed into an official shrine dedicated to the memory of the so-called "historic leader."
Amidst political speeches and theatrics, the Centenary Commemorative Program was unveiled. This initiative, laden with activities under the theme "A Hundred Years with Fidel," aims to indoctrinate new generations into a communist faith that the people have largely abandoned. Roberto Morales, the PCC's secretary of Organization, stated that the goal is to "bring him into the present and continue the path he set for us," involving the entire society, particularly children and young people, in a grand political mobilization that he claims will strengthen "the revolutionary work he left us."
"All organizations, institutions, provinces, municipalities, and communities will embrace this celebration, crafting their own programs and focusing their efforts to achieve a day filled with patriotism, beauty, and symbolism, with creativity, simplicity, and economic rationality," Morales declared.
For the official propaganda, Fidel's "work" equates to sovereignty and justice. However, for most Cubans, it translates to scarcity, repression, and poverty. The cult surrounding the dictator remains one of the few industries the regime manages with proficiency. What the official narrative calls "eternal presence" is perceived on the streets as the echo of a monumental failure.
Even Díaz-Canel's fervent words about the "guide," the man who "remains at the forefront, as in the Sierra or Girón," fail to disguise the fact that the country is enduring one of its worst crises in history. Efforts to portray Fidel as an inspiring figure for new generations clash with the reality that young people are more eager to emigrate than to "keep the flame of the Revolution burning."
On social media, any attempt to glorify the commander is quickly buried under a flood of comments associating him with blackouts, hunger, long lines, under-resourced hospitals, and political repression. Despite this, the government persists with a heroic narrative that convinces few beyond the walls of the Central Committee. While the nation struggles with material hardships and unfulfilled promises, Birán became the stage for a political mass aimed at resurrecting a ghost. A ghost that, for most Cubans, symbolizes not hope but the root of their nightmare.
Key Questions About Cuba's Current Situation
What is the significance of the event in Birán?
The event in Birán was held to commemorate what would have been Fidel Castro's 99th birthday, serving as a platform for the Cuban regime to promote its propaganda and attempt to keep alive the myth of Fidel as a historic leader.
How do most Cubans view Fidel's legacy?
For the majority of Cubans, Fidel Castro's legacy is not one of sovereignty and justice as the official narrative suggests, but rather one of scarcity, repression, and poverty.
What challenges does the Cuban government face in maintaining its narrative?
The government struggles to maintain its heroic narrative of Fidel Castro as many Cubans increasingly associate his rule with current hardships such as power outages, food shortages, and lack of resources in hospitals.