Clad in military attire and addressing a gathering of soldiers, police officers, and government employees outside the United States Embassy in Havana, President Miguel Díaz-Canel staunchly defended Raúl Castro on Friday, asserting that the former leader consistently sought ways to achieve prosperity and development for Cuba.
This proclamation, delivered with utmost solemnity in a video shared on his official social media, stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities faced by the Cuban populace over the years, particularly the extreme hardships anticipated in 2026.
The event, labeled as the "Anti-Imperialist Platform," was organized by the Communist Youth Union and other entities aligned with the regime in response to the formal criminal charges brought against Raúl Castro by the U.S. Department of Justice on May 20.
Response to U.S. Allegations
Díaz-Canel criticized the charges as a demonstration of the "aggressive, disrespectful, illegal, contemptuous, and arrogant attitude with which the United States government has dared to criminalize and prosecute the leader of the Cuban revolution, General of the Army, Raúl Castro."
He further condemned a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as "hypocritical and deceitful," while declaring that "Raúl is the nation, Raúl is Cuba." He listed the alleged "legends" of the accused: guerrilla fighter, Minister of the Armed Forces, founder of the Communist Party, and "devoted disciple of Fidel."
Questionable Prosperity and Development
The highlight of Díaz-Canel's speech came when he praised "Raúl's tireless efforts to find solutions that improve our people and contribute to the prosperity and development of our country." Such claims likely surprise the millions of Cubans enduring economic crises for decades, now compounded by power outages, food shortages, and a lack of medicine.
The "prosperity" Díaz-Canel attributes to Raúl is marred by ongoing electrical deficits that have reached record levels, exceeding 2,000 MW in May alone, leading to blackouts lasting more than 20 hours in several provinces, affecting up to 70 percent of the nation simultaneously.
Economic "development" also appears grim: the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) projected a mere 0.1% GDP growth for Cuba in 2026, while independent analyses foresee a contraction ranging from -9.1% to -15% under severe conditions. The island received no oil from December 2025 until late March 2026, and mass emigration continues unabated, with over a million Cubans leaving since 2021.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The charges filed by Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in Miami include conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of homicide related to the downing of two civilian planes from Brothers to the Rescue on February 24, 1996, when Cuban fighter jets shot them down over international waters in the Florida Straits, killing four Cuban-Americans: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.
Díaz-Canel concluded his address with a series of statements encapsulating the regime's logic: "By defending Raúl, we are defending the nation, the revolution, socialism, and our freedom." The Cuban Council of State and Parliament also issued statements supporting this "freedom," which, it seems, involves living without electricity, without food, and applauding those responsible for such conditions for decades.
The event was also intended as an early tribute to Raúl Castro's upcoming 95th birthday on June 3. The charges against him are largely symbolic and political since Cuba and the United States lack an extradition treaty, making it nearly impossible for the former leader to face trial—unless a military extraction akin to the one faced by Venezuela's former dictator Nicolás Maduro on January 3 occurs.
Understanding the Accusations Against Raúl Castro
What are the charges against Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro faces charges of conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of homicide related to the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes over international waters.
How have the Cuban government and Díaz-Canel responded?
Díaz-Canel criticized the U.S. charges as disrespectful and illegal, defending Raúl Castro as a national hero. The Cuban government has issued statements supporting Castro and condemning the accusations.
What is the current economic situation in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing severe economic challenges, including power outages, food shortages, and a projected minimal GDP growth, with ongoing mass emigration exacerbating the situation.