A recent publication by the state-run newspaper Granma, signed by Diana Rosa Simón Gutiérrez, a prosecutor from the Family Protection Directorate, has once again raised serious concerns among jurists, human rights activists, and Cuban citizens.
Under the headline "What is the responsibility of mothers and fathers towards their minor daughters and sons?", the text reinforced the threat that mothers and fathers may lose custody of their children if they do not fulfill what the regime defines as their duty to instill "patriotic values."
Although the article is presented as a guide on parental duties, its tone and content reveal a veiled political warning: the Cuban state reserves the right to intervene —and punish— those families whose principles or actions contradict the official narrative, even if this means revoking their "parental responsibility."
The legal pretext: Between duties and patriotism
The text, published this Monday in Granma, delves into multiple articles of the Family Code and the Cuban Constitution to justify the powers of the State regarding children and family.
Articles 81, 84, and 136 are cited, all focusing on the duty of parents to ensure the "comprehensive" development of their children and their education in values such as dignity, honesty, and love for the Homeland.
Article 138 of the Code states that parents must "instill respect for national symbols and love for family, work, and the Fatherland." As recently warned by the non-governmental organization Cubalex, the Cuban regime uses the new Family Code as a tool of coercion, turning minors into pressure points against their parents.
This, in itself, would not be problematic if it were not accompanied by criminal and administrative sanctions that allow for the interpretation of any criticism of the government, any act of civic dissent, or even a post on social media, as a serious violation of those duties.
In Cuba, what is considered "patriotic" and "political" is, from the state’s perspective, inseparable from the Communist Party. Consequently, a father participating in a protest, a mother denouncing food shortages, or an activist defending civil rights can be labeled for "failing to fulfill their duties" and can face legal measures such as the loss of custody of their children.
The political use of the concept of "parental responsibility"
"Parental responsibility," according to Article 136 of the Family Code, refers to the set of duties and rights that parents exercise over their minor children. However, in Cuban practice, this definition has been stretched to include ideological factors.
Article 191 of the Code establishes that "vicious," "criminal," or behaviors that jeopardize the physical and psychological development of the minor are grounds for losing custody.
The key question is: who decides which behaviors are "criminal" or "risky"? In a system where the law is subordinated to political power, the discretionary margin for prosecutors, judges, and agents of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) is quite broad.
The image accompanying the article in Granma illustrates it vividly: a group of children waves a Cuban flag while some are dressed in pioneer uniforms.
The visual message reinforces the idea that the ideal child, from the state's perspective, is one who loves the Homeland as required by the party. Any deviation from that model—whether due to family influence or personal convictions—can be seen as a threat to the system.
Concrete cases: Coercion through children
This policy is not new. CiberCuba has documented several cases in recent years where parents have been intimidated or prosecuted for their political views, with explicit threats of having their custody of their children taken away:
- En 2020, a la doctora Nelva Ismarays Ortega, esposa del líder opositor de la Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU), José Daniel Ferrer, le advirtieron que She would lose custody if her husband continued with his accusations.
- En 2021, la doctora Noemia Lisandra Rodríguez fue presionada por la Seguridad del Estado para que abandonara su activismo, under the threat of losing their children.
- En 2023, la activista Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia faced a custody legal process tras participar en acciones cívicas.
These cases are examples of the use of family laws as a mechanism for punishment and intimidation. It is not only about politically sanctioning the adult, but also about instilling fear through the most sacred: the relationship with their children.
Child indoctrination: An institutionalized model
The emphasis on instilling patriotic values from childhood has been constant in the so-called "revolutionary education" in Cuba, but it has intensified in recent years.
From a young age, children participate in political events, parades, and ceremonies with a strong ideological emphasis. They are educated in the veneration of figures like Fidel Castro and are required to pledge loyalty to socialism.
The article from Granma goes beyond the educational and legal framework: it establishes a moral obligation with legal consequences. If parents do not promote these values —and if the State determines that their attitude is "corrupting" or "contrary to development"— they may be excluded from exercising their parental rights.
Legality as a facade: Between repression and a mockery of justice
As noted in the CiberCuba article about the new Child Code, Cuban legislation presents an appearance of protection and rights, but in practice, it functions as a tool for surveillance, control, and punishment.
The ambiguity of legal terms and the politicization of family values allow the State to interfere in the private lives of Cuban families with complete impunity.
The most concerning aspect is that this type of regulation does not protect children; instead, it turns them into instruments of coercion. It reinforces a culture of fear in which parents self-censor to avoid reprisals, and where the emotional family bond is conditioned by loyalty to the system.
Conclusion: Between family duty and political blackmail
The publication in Granma represents much more than a legal notice: it is a public warning with very real consequences.
Under the facade of protecting childhood, the Cuban regime continues to consolidate a legal framework that, far from guaranteeing rights, criminalizes dissent and turns the family into an ideological battleground.
The threat of losing custody of children for having a different perspective not only undermines fundamental rights but also reveals the true intent of the system: to perpetuate control through fear.
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