The Cuban regime presented the collection Raúl Castro Ruz, Selected Works—nine volumes and more than 500 documents—at an event attended by the country's political and military leadership at the José Martí Memorial, while confirming that the volumes will be made available to the public thanks to the donation of 3,000 collections from the Communist Party and the Government of China.
According to the regime's propaganda media, the launch, presented by the Office of Historical Affairs and Celia Editions, was led by Miguel Díaz-Canel —who also authored the preface—, José Ramón Machado Ventura, and leaders of the Political Bureau, the Central Committee, MININT, and the FAR, highlighting the political-institutional nature of the collection.
The edition is produced by Ediciones Celia from the Office of Historical Affairs of the Presidency.
According to the presentation, the work compiles over 500 documents across more than 5,000 pages and includes a preface by Díaz-Canel, an analytical index, numerous explanatory notes (more than 2,000), and QR codes for each volume that link to period images.
"The nine volumes compiled by Ediciones Celia gather over 70 years of struggles and examples (...) He was present in all the battles, he was present in all the battles, in the construction of the party, in the FAR," said one of the editors.
The presentation focused on classic discursive axes of the official narrative: “unity” as the “guiding thread” of Raúl's legacy, ideological training, and the “fight against falsehood,” both that of the “Yankees” and that of bureaucrats who “distort statistics.”
“Concrete examples of how to act” were presented, meaning it is more of a manual of political practice rather than a neutral repository.
The launch coincided with October 3, the date marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the first Central Committee of the PCC, which reinforces the commemorative-party nature of the launch.
The collection is presented as an institutional work conceived by Eugenio Suárez and Alberto Alvariño, with support from the Fidel Castro Ruz Center, the Institute of History, and the Second Front Troop, which confirms its organic connection to the State-Party apparatus.
The presentation, however, did not include the presence of the Army General himself, a fact that has once again fueled rumors about his health.
The absence of the former leader occurs just days after the propaganda apparatus launched the digital campaign “Raúl is Raúl”, designed to counter rumors about his alleged death, which have been circulating on social media since the end of September.
Ministries, state media, and accounts linked to the security apparatus reproduced posters and slogans portraying the general as a leader who is "firm, present, and in combat."
Frequently asked questions about Raúl Castro's book donation from China
What does the collection of books donated by China to Raúl Castro include?
The Raúl Castro Ruz Collection, Selected Works includes nine volumes and over 500 documents, compiled in more than 5,000 pages. This work encompasses over 70 years of history and political practice of Raúl Castro, featuring a preface by Miguel Díaz-Canel, an analytical index, explanatory notes, and QR codes linking to period images.
Why is Raúl Castro's donation of books from China relevant?
The donation of 3,000 collections by the Party and Government of China underscores the "iron friendship" between the two countries, a bond that Cuba uses to bolster its political propaganda. This gesture symbolizes China's support for the Cuban regime and its single-party model, at a time when Cuba is experiencing a deep economic and social crisis.
What rumors exist about Raúl Castro's health?
The absence of Raúl Castro at the presentation of his Selected Works has fueled rumors regarding his health. These rumors intensified due to his prolonged public absence and the campaign "Raúl is Raúl", aimed at countering speculations about his alleged death. Raúl's reappearance at official events is perceived as an attempt to reaffirm his presence and the continuity of the regime.
What is the impact of the Cuban regime on the daily lives of citizens?
The Cuban regime is facing an economic crisis characterized by power outages, food shortages, and social discontent. While the government prioritizes propaganda campaigns and strengthens ties with China, the population suffers the consequences of ineffective policies that do not address daily problems. The disconnect between official rhetoric and reality intensifies the discontent among Cubans.
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