Miguel Díaz-Canel, the leader of Cuba, once again found himself at the center of a storm of mockery and criticism on social media. This backlash followed his post featuring a quote from Fidel Castro alongside a video of his participation in the National Defense Day exercises held on January 24.
In his official social media post, Díaz-Canel stated: "The cost of aggression for imperialism must always outweigh any potential benefits it seeks through its aggression." The post, tagged with #100YearsWithFidel and #CubaIsCourage, included images of the president in military attire greeting troops during a drill, with Álvaro López Miera, the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and other high-ranking officials present.
The post quickly generated thousands of reactions, predominantly filled with irony, rejection, and sarcasm towards the military display. While some pro-government accounts responded with supportive messages like "Defending the homeland is a sacred duty," "A united people will never be defeated," and "Onward to victory always," the general response was one of derision and discontent.
Public Sentiment and Irony
One comment encapsulated the feelings of many users: "The only thing the Cuban people need defending from is you." Others mocked the state of the military and the country's precarious situation: "Wasting the little gasoline left," "One plane and it's all over," and "Looks like an army from the '70s," while some described the video as "a World War II movie."
There were also numerous comparisons to the Venezuelan regime and the recent detention of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. Comments such as "This is how Maduro started and look where he ended," "This one will be out in less time," and "Days away from keeping Nicolás Maduro company. How nerve-wracking," highlighted the immediate connection many users made between both scenarios.
Military Exercises and Propaganda
During the exercises at the Great Combat Tank Unit 'Rescue of Sanguily' and an anti-aircraft defense unit, Díaz-Canel rallied the troops, asserting that "the best way to prevent aggression is for imperialism to have to calculate the cost of attacking our country," according to official reports.
Many comments focused on the propagandistic tone of the video and the appearance of the military group accompanying the president: "Those old folks are hilarious," "What a bunch of relics," "They look like they're made of clay," or "They're spraying for mosquitoes." Others were harsher: "Circus and clownery, light, food, medicine: that's what Cubans really need," and "The people struggle while they watch."
Disconnection from Reality
The stark contrast between the solemn message and the popular humor was immediate. "This is a meme," one user wrote, while others claimed "not even the tanks want to fight for that people" or that "Cuba is producing the best memes in the world." Many agreed the video "should be a Netflix movie."
Some directly referenced the international context and U.S. President Donald Trump, with phrases like "Trump, they're tempting you" or "Before December, a free Cuba," while others mocked the maneuvers' tone: "With those destroyed tanks, they won't achieve anything" or "A single BELL AH-1Z VIPER helicopter would destroy all those obsolete weapons."
Several users pointed out the regime's disconnect from the national reality, stating: "Stop playing soldiers and feed the people," "What a shame, they make me laugh and cry for my Cuba," and "Wasting what little they have playing war." Others expressed resignation or sarcasm: "I don't know whether to laugh or cry" and "Cuba doesn't want the Castros, Cuba wants to be part of the United States."
The quote from Fidel, intended as a message of strength, was ultimately reinterpreted as a symbol of the regime's ideological exhaustion. Amidst blackouts, shortages, and increasing international isolation, the image of Díaz-Canel rallying troops with outdated weaponry became, for many Cubans, a portrait of the anachronism that dominates the island's power.
Understanding the Public Reaction to Díaz-Canel's Military Display
Why did Díaz-Canel's social media post trigger such a strong reaction?
Díaz-Canel's post was met with mockery and criticism because it featured a military exercise in a context where many Cubans are facing severe shortages and hardships, making the display appear out of touch with the public's immediate needs.
How did social media users compare Díaz-Canel's actions to Nicolás Maduro's situation?
Many users drew parallels between Díaz-Canel's military display and Maduro's regime, suggesting that Díaz-Canel might face a similar fate due to what they perceive as a disconnect from the people's realities and needs.