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Unexpectedly and without revealing the topics to be addressed, the official Cuban press announced this Thursday a special appearance by Miguel Díaz-Canel, scheduled for 10:00 in the morning.
“El First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez will appear today at 10 in the morning before national and foreign media,” reported Cubadebate in a note shared on Facebook, which added: “The meeting will be broadcast on a national radio and television network, as well as through the Presidency's YouTube channel.”
The announcement, made without context or prior explanation, sparked an immediate wave of comments among Cubans both inside and outside the island, many marked by disbelief, fatigue, and dark humor regarding what they perceive as yet another speech without solutions.
"More resistance with creativity and more of the same," wrote one user, while another quipped: "To demand more effort and say that the United States is to blame for everything." Most reactions focused on the lack of electricity affecting much of the country: "And how are we going to see it if there's no power?" or "Those who have power will see it; right now, the six blocks of Havana have been without electricity since early morning." Another comment added sarcastically: "They will provide power for that, though."
The overall tone of the responses ranged from mockery to exasperation. "We already know what he's going to say: confidence, resist with creativity, and Cuba will prevail," wrote one user. Another summed it up: "If it's not to say he's leaving, nothing good can come of it." Several messages expressed complete skepticism toward the appearance: "Nothing good can come of this; they always bring bad news," or "The only good news would be that he's leaving and allowing the people to decide."
Some comments directly reflected the daily despair: “I have no power, so I’ll find out about the bad news here; I don’t think it can be good news”; “I hope it’s to say goodbye”; “What they're going to say is that we have to endure, the same old thing, and each day it gets worse.”
Others expressed with biting humor the gap between the official discourse and the reality of the country: “The same old blah, blah, blah, that it's all just lies, that he should hold on to the brush before they take away the ladder”; “You already know, get ready because it’s never anything good”; “He’s going to announce more sacrifices for the people and blame the U.S.”; “More fiscal adjustments, more blackouts, more creative resistance.”
On the CiberCuba Noticias Facebook page, the reactions followed the same pattern. “Well, let's see who can watch it in Cuba because you can't turn on the TV with firewood,” one comment sarcastically noted. Another wrote: “If he gives a speech about the resistance and continuity of communism, Trump and Marco Rubio won't need more excuses to take power away from those people.” In the same tone, phrases like: “Let’s see what else this shameless person is going to ask of the people now,” “He’s going to announce that the country is going headfirst back to the 18th century, but that the construction of luxurious and useless hotels will continue,” and “If it's not to announce his resignation and the end of communism, he can save the speech.”
Several users referred to the possibility of an unexpected announcement or a drastic change, albeit with skepticism. "I hope it’s to announce his departure," wrote one. "They say what you fear comes true, and I'm afraid of waking up to that news," added another. Some even joked about the possibility of foreign intervention: "Everything is messed up; I talked to Trump yesterday and the guy's not doing well," or "He must be saying goodbye to Cuba; could it be that he got the parole to the Yuma?"
Sarcasm and resignation blended in phrases like: "Let's keep resisting, but with creativity, to make it sound more appealing," "The face says it all," "More revolutionary chatter," "If they say no, it means yes; if they say there's no dialogue with the U.S., it's the complete opposite." One of the most shared comments summed up the general sentiment: "At 10 in the morning, they'll turn on the power, we'll hear the same thing, and when it's over, the blackout will return."
The surprise over the announcement arises in a national context characterized by the worsening economic crisis, widespread blackouts, inflation, shortages of food and fuel, as well as increased international pressure on the regime. In recent days, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, confirmed in interviews with CNN and EFE the existence of “exchanges linked to the highest levels of the Cuban government” with the United States, although he dismissed any political dialogue. He also acknowledged that the country is preparing for a process of “reorganization” that “will be very difficult for the population.”
The announcement of the appearance occurs in a climate of growing social discontent and political uncertainty, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in early January, the tightening of Washington's sanctions, and the loss of traditional regional support for the Cuban regime.
As the time for the address approaches, social media continues to be a barometer of popular sentiment. "He's going to say that tough times are ahead because the evil empire has tightened the blockade and that we need to get creative," joked one user. Another summed it up more bluntly: "They live like millionaires at the expense of the people's sacrifice." And one concluded, with a mix of irony and resignation: "Get ready, because what's coming is a bombshell... for the people, of course."
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