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Young Cubans Turn Away from Díaz-Canel's "Revolutionary Life Project" Vision

Thursday, February 12, 2026 by Alexander Flores

The Cuban content creator, Karina Elizabeth Sánchez Rodríguez (@kary_y_jony), recently shared a poignant video on social media capturing her departure from Cuba. The video is set against a backdrop of a recent speech by Miguel Díaz-Canel, addressing the youth and the continuation of the country's political system.

In the speech, Díaz-Canel declares, “These young people who experience the complex situations of these times, the shortages, and see that their life plans don't match their aspirations, yet they continue to trust, because they know that this project is more feasible in Cuba than elsewhere.”

As these words echo, the video reveals a lengthy queue of young Cubans waiting in a corridor at Havana Airport, ready to leave the nation.

Sánchez Rodríguez concludes the video with a laugh, a gesture widely interpreted as an ironic response to the leader's statements.

This scene starkly contrasts the official narrative of opportunities within Cuba with the harsh reality faced by countless young individuals. Burdened by scarcity, low wages, political repression, and lack of future prospects, many choose to emigrate in search of better living conditions.

The video has sparked widespread reactions on social media, igniting discussions about the disconnect between political rhetoric and the everyday experiences of Cuba's youth.

The Disconnect Between Political Rhetoric and Cuban Youth

What was the main message of Díaz-Canel's speech to the youth?

Díaz-Canel's speech aimed to reassure young Cubans that despite current hardships, their life goals are more attainable within Cuba's revolutionary framework than elsewhere.

How did Karina Elizabeth Sánchez Rodríguez's video contrast with the official narrative?

The video depicted a queue of young Cubans leaving the country, highlighting the disparity between the government's optimistic message and the reality of emigration driven by economic and political challenges.

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