The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel once again defended the official stance of Havana towards the United States during a meeting with foreign delegations at the Palace of Conventions, where he insisted that Cuba is open to dialogue, but without compromising the foundations of the current political system.
Before members of the so-called Convoy Nuestra América to Cuba—composed of 650 visitors from 33 countries, members of about 140 organizations—the leader reiterated his usual message of resistance and continuity.
"The revolutionaries do not give up, the revolutionaries are optimistic," he stated, in a tone aimed at reinforcing the regime's narrative of strength.
In that same vein, he delivered one of the most powerful statements of the meeting: "We are in difficult times, but also in times of decisions, and there is a people who prefer to live on their feet rather than die on their knees".
And, when referring to the relationship with Washington, he made it clear that Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States government, but without renouncing the political system. "We continue to stand by our motto, 'Homeland or Death, we will overcome,' " he emphasized.
Díaz-Canel also thanked leftist activists for traveling to the Island amid the crisis. "We know what it means to come to Cuba," he said, describing their presence as a gesture of "courage" and solidarity.
During the exchange, he insisted that the Cuban project has a global reach: "What we are discussing is not just the cause of Cuba, but also the cause of all the peoples of the world," he stated.
In his speech, he again presented Cuba as an international example and questioned the negative image of the country: "Is that why we are a threat; or are we a threat because of the example?"
These types of meetings and speeches stand in stark contrast to the reality experienced by the Cuban population.
While the regime insists on a narrative of resistance and repeatedly blames external factors—especially Washington and figures like Donald Trump—the country is facing a structural crisis marked by power outages, shortages of basic food items, rising inflation, and salaries that barely suffice to cover essential needs.
In that context, calls to resist or even to "die standing up," while enjoying a privileged position, far removed from the daily hardships that affect the majority, only generate discomfort and indignation among ordinary Cubans.
Political leadership does not experience the same limitations as the rest of the population, highlighting the disconnection between power and social reality.
The presence of foreign delegations that support the Cuban system also generates criticism. These are activists from countries where they enjoy political freedoms and stable economic conditions, yet they defend a model that, on the Island, translates into restrictions, hardship, and a lack of opportunities.
For Cubans, this external support deliberately ignores the real difficulties faced by society.
Meanwhile, the regime continues to cling to a discourse that prioritizes ideological resistance over deep reforms.
Díaz-Canel made it clear by insisting that "this revolution will continue to prevail," reaffirming the continuity of the model in an increasingly complex scenario.
Filed under: