In the midst of prolonged blackouts and food shortages, the Cuban regime organized a pilgrimage on December 4 in Santiago de Cuba to commemorate the ninth anniversary of Fidel Castro's burial, in a politically charged event that contrasted sharply with public discontent.
The event took place from the Plaza de la Revolución Antonio Maceo to the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where the ashes of the former leader rest. The images shared by Canal Caribe, Cubasí, and the Cuban News Agency (ACN) depict a march led by the top authorities of the Party and the Government in the province, alongside representatives of political and mass organizations.
Official media described the gathering as a display of “unity and commitment” to the Revolution and stated that the pilgrimage reaffirmed “the enduring legacy of the Commander in Chief in the hearts of the people of Santiago.” According to ACN, the president of the Provincial Defense Council, Beatriz Johnson, and the vice president Manuel Falcón led the floral tribute at the monolith where Castro's ashes rest.
The Santiago de Cuba Health Department also shared images on social media of doctors and workers from the sector carrying flags and signs with the slogan "I am Fidel", in a reedition of the pilgrimage "together with the Santiago people."
The images, released by state media during the pilgrimage in Santiago, show numerous children and adolescents in uniform, some wearing red scarves and holding portraits of the former leader, marching in the front rows of the caravan. According to reports published that same day, schools and youth organizations were mobilized to ensure attendance, repeating the practice of using minors in political worship events.
The event generated numerous criticisms on social media, where users questioned the holding of the tribute amid power outages and shortages. In the comments of the live broadcast of the event, complaints about the lack of electricity, water, and food are repeated, along with reproaches regarding the mandatory nature of these activities. Several internet users pointed out that while the regime calls for marches, “people can’t sleep due to blackouts” or “don’t have anything to eat.” Others labeled the pilgrimage as “a circus” and “a hypocritical act” conducted “while the people go hungry.”
There were also many messages of frustration regarding the exaltation of Fidel Castro's legacy, in contrast to the current situation in the country. “They go from march to march, but they neither work nor solve the problems,” wrote a user. Although there were few expressions of support, they focused on slogans like “We always remember you, Commander” or “#FidelForever”.
Official worship amidst discontent
Days before the event in Santiago, the newspaper Escambray had recalled Castro's funeral in 2016 with a Facebook post that sparked a wave of mockery and outrage, reflecting the frustration of many Cubans who denounced political manipulation and remembered the obligatory nature of mourning that year. Among the most shared comments were phrases like "you emptied our stores and pharmacies" or "that day Fidel made his greatest contribution to the people: he died".
Many Cubans agree that Fidel Castro's so-called "legacy" left a deep social inequality in Cuba, characterized by the disappearance of the middle class and the control of resources by a military and party elite, a phenomenon that persists to this day.
This Thursday, while authorities praised the "continuity" of Fidel Castro's thinking, many Cubans expressed their frustration and exhaustion on social media regarding the official tributes.
In their homes, thousands of families face a daily reality marked by precariousness, illness, and uncertainty, amidst prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and a lack of medications.
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