In a nation where many expecting mothers struggle to find enough to eat and bringing a child into the world often happens with barely the essentials, a newborn in Santiago de Cuba experienced an unusual privilege: being born on the same day as Fidel Castro, one of the most notorious dictators in the region.
This past August 13, the Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Hospital excitedly announced on Facebook that the first mother to give birth on that date would receive a basket "filled with essential items" crafted by its union workers. The reason for this gesture, besides the baby’s arrival, was the "blessed" coincidence with Fidel Castro's birth date.
“At this hospital, we not only care for new lives… We celebrate each one!” the institution declared on social media, omitting the fact that, for most Cuban families, obtaining what fits in that basket involves months of searching, bartering, and endless lines, not to mention the necessity of external support and solidarity.
The social media photos revealed that the gift included soaps, baby clothes, laundry detergent, bottles, and wet wipes. The birth of a child, no matter where it occurs, is generally a joyous occasion for families. Yet, the regime seizes every chance to politicize this and other moments for propaganda purposes.
Congratulations to the young mother, who indeed has reasons to celebrate, but the government should be asked: what about the mothers who don’t have the “blessing” of giving birth on August 13?
In the early hours of this Wednesday, a date the official press dedicates annually to commemorating Fidel Castro’s birthday, Milán Daimel Montejo Machado was also born in Matanzas. He is the son of Liliana Machado Alfonso, a 33-year-old first-time mother who received the greatest blessing of her life.
Official journalist Yuni Moliner shared the story, highlighting that the birth occurred precisely at 1:30 am, calling attention to the –unfortunate– coincidence with the 99th anniversary of the deceased dictator, turning a trivial fact into "news" beyond its anecdotal value.
During the events marking the anniversary, local officials presented the mother with a basket containing baby care items, a gesture the regime touts as a “tradition of accompaniment and solidarity” for families welcoming new members on that date.
The joyous event of the birth was accompanied –by sheer chance– with an “official” basket that undoubtedly provides relief to the young mother amid the severe economic crisis. Yet in Cuba, the propaganda machinery never misses a chance to either worship or make a spectacle of the personality of one of the continent’s most infamous dictators.
Key Questions about Birth Celebrations in Cuba
Why did the hospital give a gift basket to the mother?
The hospital presented a gift basket to the mother because her child was born on the same day as Fidel Castro’s birthday, which they saw as a special coincidence worthy of celebration.
What items were included in the gift basket?
The gift basket included essential items such as soaps, baby clothes, laundry detergent, bottles, and wet wipes.
How does the regime use these birth coincidences for propaganda?
The regime uses these birth coincidences to promote its propaganda by celebrating them publicly and providing gifts, portraying them as acts of solidarity and tradition, while ignoring the overall struggle for basic necessities faced by most Cuban families.