The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has made a significant diplomatic and symbolic error by congratulating the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel on May 20, a date that commemorates the proclamation of the Republic of Cuba in 1902 and is historically ignored or repudiated by the Cuban establishment.
Through a letter signed by Ortega and Murillo herself, who holds the title of “co-president,” the dictatorship of Nicaragua commemorated the "123rd Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cuba" and conveyed its “sincerest congratulations” to the Cuban people on this significant occasion.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to you, your Esteemed Government, and the Brave and Brotherly Cuban People”, reads the official letter dated May 19 and signed by Ortega and Murillo.
“We reaffirm our commitment to continue strengthening the historic ties of brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation that unite our nations”, the letter published by the state channel Canal 6 Nicaragua continues.
On May 20, 1902, Don Tomás Estrada Palma took office as the president of the newly formed Republic of Cuba during a ceremony held at the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales in Havana. The transfer of power was conducted by the American military officer Leonard Wood, and for the first time, the Cuban flag officially flew at institutions such as the Morro and the Presidential Palace.
Estrada Palma began his government by approving payment to the Liberating Army and settling, with the help of a loan, the debt inherited from the War of Independence. The day was welcomed with joy and became a symbol of national sovereignty, celebrated for decades throughout the island.
However, following Fidel Castro's rise to power, May 20 was gradually erased from the official calendar. The revolutionary regime labeled it a date of “neocolonialism,” imposed by the United States, and referred to the republican presidents as “puppets of imperialism.” The statue of Estrada Palma in Vedado was toppled, leaving only the shoes of the monument as witnesses to the denied history.
Meanwhile, the date is widely commemorated by the Cuban diaspora and international political figures. The current U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, of Cuban descent, has expressed on multiple occasions his desire to see a free and democratic Cuba, hoping that May 20 can be celebrated on an island without dictatorship.
This year, Rubio expressed his support and solidarity with the people of the island, as well as admiration for those who have risen against oppression. At the same time, he reaffirmed the U.S. government's commitment to a free and democratic Cuba.
For his part, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, signed an official proclamation on Monday to commemorate the anniversary, highlighting the historical, cultural, and political ties that connect the Cuban-American community with the cause of freedom on the island.
Meanwhile, independent journalist Camila Acosta, who resides in Cuba, reported being under arbitrary police surveillance at her home.
According to her testimony, six individuals, including uniformed officers and plainclothes State Security agents, were keeping her under surveillance.
Repression on symbolic dates such as May 20 aims to prevent activists, journalists, and opponents from celebrating or commemorating events that do not align with the official narrative of the Cuban regime.
These actions include arbitrary detentions, surveillance, threats, forced exile, and internet shutdowns. Currently, the regime has imprisoned over a thousand people who have raised their voices and denounced this failed state.
Frequently asked questions about Ortega's diplomatic error in congratulating Díaz-Canel
Why is May 20 a controversial date in Cuba?
May 20, 1902 marks the proclamation of the Republic of Cuba and the beginning of its formal independence. However, Fidel Castro's revolutionary regime gradually erased this date from the official calendar, viewing it as a neocolonial imposition by the United States. In contrast, the Cuban diaspora and international political figures commemorate it as a symbol of national sovereignty.
What mistake did the Nicaraguan government make by congratulating Cuba?
The government of Daniel Ortega congratulated Miguel Díaz-Canel on May 20, a date that the Cuban establishment ignores or disavows, considering it associated with American neocolonialism. This diplomatic misstep highlights a lack of understanding or sensitivity towards the historical positions of the Cuban regime.
How is repression controlled in Cuba during symbolic dates?
On symbolic dates like May 20, the Cuban regime intensifies repression to prevent celebrations that do not align with its official narrative. The authorities employ tactics of surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and threats against activists, journalists, and opponents. Currently, more than a thousand people are imprisoned for expressing their opposition to the regime.
What is the current relationship between Cuba and Russia?
The relationship between Cuba and Russia has strengthened in recent years, with Russia providing energy, military, and financial support to Cuba. This alliance has become crucial for the Cuban regime amid its economic crisis, even as the Cuban population continues to suffer from shortages and repression.
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