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Raúl Castro congratulated Cuban women this March 8th "with a kiss and a hug" for "everything they have done and will do" at a time when the island is facing long hours of power outages.
“On their international day, we congratulate our exemplary women, recognizing their dedication, participation, and ongoing contributions to the revolutionary work. For all that they have done and will do, a hug and a kiss,” reads the message, published on Facebook by the Presidency Cuba.
Criticism has quickly emerged on social media.
"I don't want to contribute anything to the revolution. I want the freedom of Cuba, ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LONG LIVE FREE CUBA!!!!!!!!!!!!," responded a Cuban woman.
"It is very disrespectful how women in Cuba are enduring so much misery."
Díaz-Canel's congratulations
Miguel Díaz-Canel's congratulatory message for International Women's Day, shared on the official profiles of the Presidency and the leader himself, provoked a flood of reactions on social media this March 8.
With the country facing an unprecedented systemic crisis, users' reactions were primarily characterized by critical, ironic comments and outright rejection of the contrast between the official narrative and the reality experienced by millions of Cuban women.
In one of the messages, the leader stated that engaging in dialogue with Cuban women “always uplifts, emancipates” and defended the “achievements” they have attained in the so-called “revolution.”
In another post he stated that “the light of our days has much to do with women: sensitivity, talent, and commitment to the fate of the country,” accompanying the text with the promotion of an interview with a scientist linked to the photovoltaic field.
But the official emphasis on "light," "sensitivity," and "achievements" immediately clashed with the dark humor and indignation in dozens of comments, many of which focused on the daily drama of blackouts, food scarcity, lack of water, and the precariousness that particularly burdens women.
The most repeated phrase, in various forms, was a question as simple as it was devastating: “Which light?”.
Lis Cuesta receives criticism following congratulations
Lis Cuesta, the wife of the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, congratulated Cuban women on March 8, acknowledging the “difficult times,” and criticisms on social media quickly followed.
"Congratulations to Cuban women, a special kiss to my MOTHER, founder of the FMC, who taught me to love VILMA; also to my sisters in causes, to my FEDERATED FRIENDS. Times are tough, but without you, they would be worse," Cuesta said on X.
The responses came quickly.
"Cuban women do not need your congratulations; we need a dignified life," a Cuban woman demanded.
Others took the opportunity to remind him that his time in power seems to be limited.
"When shame is in short supply, this happens: many congratulations and few actions. Since you love Vilma, ask for her spirit because all the hard times your people are going through due to your husband and the mafia of assassins from the dictatorship will soon be felt by you tenfold. We swear it," said an internet user.
"Oh Machi, enjoy the little you have left, look at how Silita ended up, from luxury to a cell, hahahaha bye, we cared for you. We will miss your love poems," another one joked.
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