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The leader Miguel Díaz-Canel celebrated this Friday the 108th anniversary of the October Revolution in Russia with a message that sparked a wave of mockery and rejection among Cubans upset by the economic crisis and the general decline of the country.
The Cuban leader published a message on his X account in tribute to the October Revolution, and asserted that “communists and all of us who stand with the revolutionaries, the dissatisfied, those who fight every day for a better world that only socialism can create” commemorate the date "with heartfelt respect."
The post, accompanied by the slogan “Rise up, poor of the world!”, was met with outrage by dozens of users who questioned the contrast between the rhetoric of power and the reality of a country engulfed in economic collapse.
"Of course, they care so much about the poor that they try by all means to ensure there are more of them," a user sarcastically remarked.
Another summed up the general sentiment: “They celebrate a resounding failure; it’s no wonder the country is in the state it’s in.”
Among the more severe responses, several pointed out the hypocrisy of the official discourse. “There is no electricity, no fuel, no food... and you dare to post that,” wrote an internet user.
Others recalled the luxuries of power: “Thieving leaders travel in luxury SUVs and wear Rolexes,” commented Eddie de Velascomar.
The criticisms went beyond sarcasm. "Just as you have Cuba, in extreme poverty and destruction. You want the world to be a ruin while you make yourselves millionaires," replied Antonia de Méndez.
Díaz-Canel's statement, far from generating support or empathy, turned into a showcase of citizen discontent in the face of an increasingly disconnected leadership from the reality experienced by Cubans.
The Russian Revolution, known as the October Revolution, occurred on the 25th of that month in 1917, according to the Julian calendar that Russia used at the time, but on November 7 according to the Gregorian calendar that was in use in the rest of the world.
The name was maintained because of the original date when the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Ilich Lenin (1870-1924), took power by storming the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, which marked the Bolshevik victory and the beginning of the socialist state in Russia.
The day before, Díaz-Canel again used a sweet and triumphant tone when referring to the crisis the country is facing after Hurricane Melissa, asserting that Cubans are “resilient like the palms that stand tall” against the strongest winds.
However, the excerpt of the speech shared on the CiberCuba Noticias Facebook page sparked a wave of reactions.
Among the comments, many users expressed frustration over the contrast between the president's words and the reality of the country.
Some messages read: “Poet of disaster,” “Not resilient, just tired,” and “Talks of unity, but the country is broken.”
Others recalled their unkept promises: “He always says the same thing: that no one will be left behind, yet no one sees the help”, and also: “The people don’t want poetry, they want solutions.”
Hundreds of forum members also reacted to the speech by the president of the National Defense Council and first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba on November 4, from the Palace of the Revolution, during the event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the People's Summit and the "No to FTAA."
"The principles are non-negotiable, and the dignity and worth of the peoples are greater than all the weapons of the most powerful empire in history," he said in a triumphant tone, amidst the economic, social, and health crisis that the country is experiencing.
Many messages focused on the contrast between the ruler's words and everyday life on the island.
"Two pounds of rice in the store in three months," wrote a reader. Another one joked: "What is the ALCA for if there's no economic development project in sight, just to talk trash about the prosperous neighbor?"
“The puppet is already disgusting,” commented another. “Cuba is sinking right under your nose, Canel. Tell Machi to gather the little shoes and go with Putin,” wrote a user.
A netizen wrote: “Principles are not something you eat or take. People don’t want to resist; they want to live and not be mired in disgrace. Stop the nonsense already.”
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