Miguel Díaz-Canel dedicated the closing of his political speech this Thursday to the youth and the Cuban people, intending to move the masses and regain social support that the regime no longer enjoys.
"When we talk about unity, it doesn't exist if the youth are not involved. When we talk about continuity, it cannot happen without them," he stated, appealing to a sector that has turned its back on the state project and has been leading the largest migratory exodus in the country's recent history since 2021.
In a statement broadcasted on the YouTube channel of the Presidencia de Cuba, Díaz-Canel praised the "heroism" of the people and asserted that the Cuban resistance "is not about endurance, but about creativity."
He insisted that young people must be part of the concept of popular participation, despite the fact that the majority face a country lacking opportunities, with destroyed educational institutions, insufficient salaries, constant blackouts, and a political system that does not allow dissent.
The statements were made in a context where Cuba is preparing for "tougher times," amidst the worsening of the economic, energy, and social crisis.
The Presidency of Cuba announced this speech as an interaction with national and foreign press, but among the supposed international media, only regime-affiliated Cuban journalists collaborating with RT, Xinhua in Spanish, and Prensa Latina were present.
“No soy idealista. Sé que vamos a vivir tiempos difíciles,” said the leader and asked the people for “more trust in the government,” "more saving,” and greater understanding of "restrictive measures." To make matters worse, he announced "projects that will need to be postponed."
His speech did not move the young, adults, or elderly Cubans. Instead, it generated more hopelessness and unease because it provides no solutions to the crisis in the country in the short, medium, or long term.
Rather than gaining support, Díaz-Canel has sparked a debate on social media against the regime. Thousands of young Cubans have left comments demanding an end to the dictatorship and the departure of a government that neither listens to them nor includes them in the future of Cuba.
Filed under: