On January 1st, Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization for the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), marked the 61st anniversary of the Revolution's triumph by lauding the Cuban populace as "the key players in resistance and victory."
"As 2026 begins, marking the Centenary Year of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, I send a warm embrace to our heroic people, the main protagonists of resistance and victory," Morales Ojeda shared on his X account. His post was accompanied by a commemorative image stating "61st Anniversary of the Revolution's Triumph" and "100 Years with Fidel."
Disconnected Rhetoric Amidst Harsh Realities
Morales Ojeda's statements are part of a broader pattern of optimistic messaging that seems disconnected from the challenging realities faced by Cubans. In November, he urged the youth to "seize opportunities," a comment that sparked backlash from citizens who highlighted ongoing food shortages, power outages, and bleak job prospects.
Earlier, amid a crisis worsened by Hurricane Melissa, he invoked Fidel Castro's words, asserting that "only the Revolution can solve this country's problems." He also praised the "achievements of revolutionary medicine" even as hospitals struggled to cope and outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya spread.
During the PCC's XI Central Committee Plenum in December, Morales Ojeda repeated the party's old rhetoric about "errors and negative tendencies" without providing concrete solutions to the economic crisis or accepting political responsibility. This repetition of messages strengthens the perception that Cuba's political machinery remains reliant on the rhetoric of resistance and revolutionary epic as a stand-in for effective solutions to the nation's structural issues.
As the regime kicks off what it has dubbed "the Year of Fidel Castro's Centenary," official discourse once again places the historic leader's figure as the central symbolic pillar of legitimacy, even as the Cuban population endures some of the toughest times in decades of ongoing crisis.
Insights into Cuba's Political Climate
What is the significance of 2026 in Cuba?
2026 marks the centenary of Fidel Castro, the iconic leader of the Cuban Revolution. The Cuban regime has labeled it as "the Year of Fidel Castro's Centenary."
How have Morales Ojeda's messages been received by the public?
Morales Ojeda's optimistic messages have been met with criticism from the public, who highlight ongoing crises such as food shortages, power outages, and poor economic prospects.
What challenges are currently facing Cuba?
Cuba is dealing with severe challenges including economic crisis, food shortages, power outages, and the public health system struggling with diseases like dengue and chikungunya.