Cuban Youth Drawn Away by Capitalism, Claims Díaz-Canel

In a recent speech delivered in Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel attributed the exodus of Cuban youth to capitalism, accusing it of luring talented young people away. This statement was part of his address marking the 65th anniversary of the socialist revolution in Cuba.

Speaking to a crowd gathered at the intersection of 23rd and 12th in El Vedado, Díaz-Canel lamented, "A particularly painful wound is the migration of promising young individuals, who were educated for free in our schools and universities, only for capitalism to purchase their skills and talents without having invested in them."

He criticized the perception that, "They accuse the society that educated them of failing to provide what the predatory market offers."

However, his remarks gloss over the reasons many Cubans cite for leaving: daily blackouts lasting up to 22 hours, an average monthly salary equivalent to a mere 16 dollars, political repression, and a lack of basic freedoms.

The Role of Socialism in Cuban Education

Díaz-Canel also emphasized the role of socialism in shaping the very professionals who are now leaving the country: "That impressive human potential, which gains space and relevance in any country it reaches, was molded by socialism. Only socialism turned the children of workers and farmers into top-tier professionals, not exceptionally as in capitalism, but on a massive scale."

This argument overlooks the fact that these professionals, whether trained by the state or not, earn 10 to 20 times more in countries like the United States, Spain, or Canada, compared to the Island where the system that educated them cannot even ensure a stable electricity supply.

Acknowledging the Crisis

During the same address, Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severity of the crisis: "The daily life in Cuba is painful, beginning with vital rest disrupted first by blackouts and then by the return of power after long hours, shifting domestic work to the early hours, and halting industries, transportation, essential services, and production due to a complete lack of fuel."

The contradiction is clear: the leader describes a nation devoid of fuel, functioning industries, and nighttime rest, yet questions why the youth are leaving.

Instead of taking responsibility, Díaz-Canel reiterated his usual argument: "The primary cause of our problems is the genocidal blockade imposed by the U.S. government against our people."

Emigration and Economic Impact

Meanwhile, data reveals a dire reality. Between 2021 and 2024, over a million Cubans emigrated. In 2024 alone, the external migration balance was -251,221 people, and the Island's population dropped below 10 million, the lowest since 1985. Thirty percent of emigrants are aged 15 to 34.

Independent surveys indicate that 93% of Cubans would leave if they could, and 80% believe the current crisis is worse than the Special Period of the 1990s, with the GDP having contracted by 23% since 2019.

Rising Tensions with the U.S.

The speech also came at a time of heightened tension with Washington. Díaz-Canel warned of a potential military aggression and urged the people to prepare: "The moment is extremely challenging and once again calls us to be ready to face serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it, and if unavoidable, to win it."

Despite blaming capitalism for the exodus, a young Cuban articulated the sentiment of many: "Many young people don't want to leave Cuba; we are forced to."