This past Sunday, the Cuban government launched a nationwide signature-gathering campaign called "My Signature for the Homeland," which is presented as a "spontaneous" civil society movement, although it is organized and orchestrated by the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
Signature books have been opened across communities, workplaces, and schools throughout the nation to support the Cuban Revolutionary Government's Declaration titled "Girón is Today and Always," issued on April 17.
Yuniasky Crespo Baquero, head of the Ideological Department of the PCC Central Committee, announced the initiative during the closing of the 5th International Patria Colloquium. She framed the campaign as a constitutional duty, stating, "Defending ourselves is not just a right; it is, as we have enshrined in our Constitution, the greatest honor and supreme duty of every Cuban."
Official propaganda from the regime, broadcasted by the state-controlled Canal Caribe, called on Cubans to "confirm with our signature the conviction to defend the homeland," turning the signature collection into an explicit act of political loyalty.
The declaration seeking endorsement states that Cuba will never become a trophy or just another star in the American constellation, a direct reference to the Trump administration.
This tactic is not new for the regime. In September 2025, a similar campaign was carried out from the 24th to the 30th of that month to support former President Nicolás Maduro against alleged military threats to Venezuela.
Back then, the Ministry of Education mobilized students across all provinces, demanding signatures from children and teenagers under the threat of being labeled "counter-revolutionaries."
Cubalex, a human rights organization, condemned these actions, citing violations of children's rights, including their right to education free from political pressures.
Critics and analysts argue that such campaigns serve as mechanisms of social control and coercion since non-participation can lead to accusations and potential workplace or educational sanctions.
The campaign has been launched amid severe tensions. On January 3, a U.S. military operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of Maduro and the death of 32 Cuban soldiers who were part of his personal guard.
On January 29, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14380, imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, exacerbating the energy crisis already causing widespread blackouts across the island.
On April 16, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel presided over a ceremony at the corner of 23 and 12 in Vedado for the 65th anniversary of the socialist nature of the Cuban revolution, urging Cubans to be ready to fight.
The ceremony faced criticism for its low turnout and waste of resources amid the crisis. Comedian Ulises Toirac called it a waste of resources, while broadcaster Laritza Camacho sarcastically remarked, "Yelling, slogans, and waste. What a great character!"
During the event, Díaz-Canel himself admitted, "There is absolutely no fuel for almost anything," a stark contrast to the triumphalist rhetoric of the signature campaign launching nationwide today.
Understanding Cuba's "My Signature for the Homeland" Campaign
What is the purpose of the "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign?
The campaign aims to gather signatures to support the Cuban Revolutionary Government's declaration and demonstrate political loyalty to the regime.
How is the campaign perceived by critics and analysts?
Critics and analysts see the campaign as a tool for social control and coercion, where non-participation can lead to accusations and potential sanctions.
What historical context surrounds this campaign?
The regime has used similar tactics in the past, notably in 2025 to support Nicolás Maduro, leveraging student participation under threat.