Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, took the occasion of Fidel Castro's centenary to pay homage to him on Thursday through a message on her X account. She referred to Castro as "a guiding figure for the world's free nations."
In her post, Rodríguez emphasized that Castro is among those leaders who transcend time, remaining etched in the collective memory. She highlighted his unwavering commitment to dignity, social justice, sovereignty, and international solidarity.
This tribute coincides with the centenary of the Cuban dictator's birth, who was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, Holguín, and passed away in November 2016 after nearly fifty years in power.
The Cuban regime has transformed this date into a significant political event, declaring 2026 as the "Year of the Centenary of the Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz" and planning a series of tributes from August 2025 to December of that year.
International Event Celebrates Castro's Legacy
The main event was the first International Colloquium "Fidel: Legacy and Future," held from August 10 to 13 at Havana's Convention Palace, with over 1,500 delegates from 63 countries in attendance.
The closure of the event took place at the Karl Marx Theater, where Raúl Castro made a rare public appearance, dressed in his olive-green uniform, receiving a standing ovation.
Raúl was accompanied by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Communist Party leaders, and family members of the late dictator, including Dalia Soto del Valle.
Díaz-Canel also took to social media to join in the tributes: "Fidel Lives! Those who doubt it should look at today's world through his legacy," he wrote on X.
Global Leaders and Tributes
Rodríguez's homage is part of a Chavista tradition of elevating the Cuban leader as an ideological beacon for Latin American socialism, which she has maintained since taking office after Nicolás Maduro's capture by U.S. forces in January this year.
Other international leaders also sent their tributes. Vladimir Putin called Fidel a "symbol of freedom, justice, and patriotism"; Brazil's President Lula da Silva thanked him for his "encouragement and wisdom"; and Xi Jinping noted his role in strengthening Cuba-China relations.
In Nicaragua, a 20-meter statue of Fidel Castro was unveiled as part of the celebrations, with events also taking place in Minsk, Rome, Hanoi, Santo Domingo, and Moscow.
These celebrations occur against the backdrop of a deepening economic crisis in Cuba, characterized by prolonged blackouts and shortages of food and medicine, a reality starkly omitted by the regime amidst its centenary propaganda efforts.
Fidel Castro's Centenary and Its Impact
What is the significance of Fidel Castro's centenary?
Fidel Castro's centenary is significant as it marks 100 years since the birth of the Cuban leader, and it is being used by the Cuban regime as a major political event to promote his legacy.
How is the centenary being celebrated internationally?
Internationally, the centenary is being marked with a variety of tributes, including a 20-meter statue in Nicaragua and events in cities like Minsk and Rome.
What is the current economic situation in Cuba?
Cuba is currently experiencing a severe economic crisis, with extended power outages and shortages of essential goods such as food and medicine.