Abel Prieto, the former Cuban Minister of Culture and current president of the Casa de las Américas, found himself at the center of a storm on social media this Wednesday. He shared a quote from Fidel Castro on his Facebook profile, using the official hashtag #100YearsWithFidel, only to be met with a flood of criticism from Cuban citizens.
The quote Prieto chose comes from a speech delivered by Castro on May 14, 2004, known as the "Proclamation of an Adversary to the U.S. Government." This speech was made during a large march along Havana's Malecón, in front of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
The quote reads: "This people can be exterminated—it is well worth knowing—but not subjugated or reduced again to the humiliating condition of a U.S. neocolony."
Accompanied by a photo of Castro in his signature olive green military uniform, with his index finger raised in front of a microphone, the post quickly drew a slew of responses dismantling the official rhetoric.
Social Media Reactions
The first comment to highlight the contradiction was blunt: "It's more humiliating to die of hunger and live off the work of family members in the U.S. (precisely)," wrote one user, pointing to the reliance of millions of Cubans on remittances sent from the very country the regime has long portrayed as the enemy.
Another comment was even more straightforward about Castro's legacy: "None of the predictions of the so-called 'commander in chief' have come true. Cuba has never been free or sovereign; it has always depended on some power. And it never will be."
A third user expressed the sentiment of many Cubans with a statement that completely flips Prieto's argument: "Better to be a Yankee colony than live under the oppression of a dictatorship controlled by one family."
Calls for Change
Among the comments, there were also concrete demands: free and democratic elections, freedom for all political prisoners, a free market, and multiparty system.
This recent post is not an isolated incident. Back in January 2026, Prieto faced backlash for accusing the counter-revolution of being euphoric about Trump's executive order, closing his message with a defiant "We will overcome!" Just a day before this latest incident, he was criticized for invoking John Lennon's death alongside troubadour Amaury Pérez, which many saw as hypocritical given the regime's past ban on Beatles music as "ideological diversionism."
In February 2026, Cuban Julia Elena Jareno Varcarcel publicly responded to Prieto with words that capture the disconnect between him and the reality on the island: "Cuba today functions for those, like you, who enjoy privileges: travel, positions, access, protection. For the rest, there are blackouts, collapsing hospitals, and symbolic wages."
The #100YearsWithFidel campaign was officially launched on August 13, 2025, by the Cuban government to commemorate the revolutionary leader's centennial birthday, with activities continuing until December 4, 2026. This comes as Cuba grapples with one of its most severe humanitarian crises in recent decades.
Understanding the Backlash Against Abel Prieto's Remarks
Why did Abel Prieto face criticism for quoting Fidel Castro?
Prieto faced backlash because many Cubans see the situation in their country as contradictory to the ideals expressed in Castro's quote. The reliance on U.S. remittances and the overall humanitarian crisis highlight the failure of the regime's promises.
What were some of the demands made by Cubans in response to Prieto's post?
In response to Prieto's post, Cubans demanded free and democratic elections, the release of political prisoners, the establishment of a free market, and the implementation of a multiparty system.
How has Prieto previously been involved in controversies?
Prieto has previously faced criticism for his comments on U.S. policies and his support of the Cuban regime, which many see as disconnected from the struggles of ordinary Cubans.