The Cuban regime announced that it will “bring” Fidel Castro to celebrate the centenary of the birth of one of the greatest dictators the continent has ever seen.
It will not be a solemn act of remembrance, nor a date to look back on: it will be, in the words of Miguel Díaz-Canel himself, an attempt to symbolically return the deceased commander to the island's political present.
"It’s not about remembering it; it’s about bringing it to this moment," asserted the leader.
The announcement took place during the closing of the X Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, at the Palace of the Revolution, where the “Commemorative Program for the Centenary of the Birth of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz” was approved.
Amid a severe economic and social crisis, the government decided to focus some of its efforts on a plan of ideological exaltation that, according to its promoters, will serve to project Fidel's thought as a "living symbol of the Revolution."
Díaz-Canel explained that the purpose of this plan is not to fall into "nostalgic logic," but to promote a communication strategy that connects new generations with the legacy of the historical leader, because according to the leader, there is still a connection to be rescued.
"To immerse ourselves in her revolutionary doctrine to confront the colossal challenges of these times," she stated.
The initiative includes actions of political propaganda aimed at reinforcing socialist values and positioning Fidelist thought as a guiding compass to overcome the challenges of the present.
All of this is happening while millions of Cubans face daily blackouts, inflation, chronic shortages, collapsed public services, and an exodus that has already reached historic numbers.
For the government, however, the priority lies in ensuring that Fidel does not disappear from the official narrative, not even a century after his birth, and especially to ensure that he remains "connected" to the youth.
El culto a la figura del fallecido líder ha sido uno de los pilares del sistema político cubano, y con este nuevo plan, el régimen busca reafirmarlo no solo como referente histórico, sino como actor simbólico de la realidad actual, al estilo de un patriarca eterno cuya doctrina aún guía al país, aunque sea a través de consignas recicladas y frases encuadernadas.
Instead of addressing the deep structural crisis of the country with solutions, the Communist Party once again resorts to the ideological wild card: bringing back the commander, as if simply invoking him would be enough to restore popular enthusiasm.
From the walls of Havana to the screens of the news broadcast, Fidel will continue to be "present," by the Party's decision, not as a thing of the past, but as a discursive tool to try to contain the growing discontent.
In that same speech, leader Díaz-Canel reiterated his willingness to pursue and neutralize any critical manifestation, whether in the digital realm or in public spaces, under the argument of defending the homeland from what he describes as “hate” and “ignorance”.
This Sunday, July 13, just two days before the fourth anniversary of the social uprising of July 11, the official profile of the Presidency of Cuba on X shared a notable quote from the president.
"On social media and in the streets, wherever hatred or ignorance attempts to denigrate, humiliate, or attack Cuba, it is our duty to confront those filled with hate and ignorance to defend our homeland as we would defend our mothers."
The message, disseminated during the heightened awareness of the collective memory of July 11th, inevitably recalls the fateful “combat order” issued by Díaz-Canel in 2021, which marked the onset of massive repression against peaceful protesters across the island.
Frequently asked questions about the commemoration of Fidel Castro's centenary in Cuba
What is the purpose of the Cuban regime in commemorating the centenary of Fidel Castro?
The Cuban regime seeks to "bring" Fidel Castro symbolically into the island's political present, with the aim of connecting new generations to his legacy and projecting his thought as a "living symbol of the Revolution." This effort is part of a strategy of ideological exaltation, rather than directly addressing the economic and social issues facing the country.
How does the current crisis in Cuba affect this celebration?
Despite the severe economic and social crisis facing Cuba, the government chooses to prioritize propaganda about Fidel Castro instead of seeking real solutions to the country's structural problems. Millions of Cubans are suffering from blackouts, inflation, and shortages, highlighting a disconnect between the regime's priorities and the needs of the people.
Why does the regime insist on keeping the figure of Fidel Castro alive?
The cult of Fidel Castro is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban political system, used to legitimize and maintain control over power. Castro's image is employed as a discursive tool to try to contain the growing social discontent, despite the fact that his economic model has proven ineffective in addressing the current crises.
What impact does the commemoration have on Cuban youth?
The regime seeks to connect young people with the legacy of Fidel Castro through a communication strategy aimed at revitalizing his image as an ideological guide. However, in a context of power outages, shortages, and a lack of prospects, it is questionable whether this can rebuild the trust of a generation growing up amid daily challenges.
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