A video of a pioneers' event held in Holguín, published on Facebook by the First Secretary of the Communist Party in the province, Joel Queipo Ruíz, has sparked a wave of mockery and criticism among Cubans both on the island and abroad, highlighting the contradiction between the children's oath to be loyal to communism and the massive exodus the country is experiencing.
The clip features children chanting in unison: "Study, work, and fight. Inspired by the example of the heroes of the homeland. To be worthy heirs of the glorious Young Communist Unions. Pioneers for communism, we will be like Che!"
Among the more than 100 comments on the post, a common denominator that encapsulates the feelings of an entire generation emerged: "That's what everyone in my classroom said, and we all are immigrants," wrote one user. Another added with irony: "Three Doritos later, everyone in Miami."
The slogan "Pioneers for Communism, We Will Be Like Che!" was adopted by the José Martí Pioneer Organization in 1968 and remains today as the core of the political indoctrination for children that the regime imposes from an early school age.
The comments went beyond irony: several users questioned the actual material conditions in which those children live while they recite praises of communism.
"Ask how many children had a little bit of milk for breakfast and ate some bread, and how long they slept without being bitten by mosquitoes," one wrote. Another was more detailed: "Did they sleep all night, rest with the current, air conditioning, fans, were they able to have dinner with meat, beans, rice, milk, ice cream, yogurt, juices... what could they have had for breakfast...?"
A comment harshly summarized the criticism: "To be worthy heirs of the blackout and the garbage dumps, a macabre system that cooks your brain with lies from the moment you are innocent."
Several internet users described the practice directly: "Brainwashing since childhood," "Pure indoctrination, damn it. I don't know how they don't feel ashamed to post these videos," and "Abusive indoctrination... instead of allowing each child to grow and choose as they understand society."
A commentator referenced the case of Jenny Sotolongo, "the girl from the stands," used by Fidel Castro as a propaganda image since she was young in the 90s: "She was indoctrinated by Fidel and today sings for the freedom of Cuba."
Sotolongo, now exiled in Houston, Texas, premiered on June 1 a song titled "The Voice They Lent Me" dedicated to the freedom of Cuba, and it is another symbol of the contradiction that the video brought back to the forefront.
More than a million Cubans emigrated between 2021 and 2025, and 93% of those surveyed in polls conducted in 2026 said they would leave "right tomorrow" if they could. "Soon those children will be able to be free and see their parents who have emigrated in a free Cuba," concluded one of the most hopeful comments in the thread.
The video is circulating at a time when the Cuban educational system is enduring its worst crisis in decades.
The 2025-2026 school year started with a shortage of approximately 24,000 teachers, which is about one in every eight positions unfilled, and the government announced the end of the school year from June 15 to June 30 due to "logistical limitations" that include blackouts, lack of fuel, and food shortages.
In March, blackouts impacted 63% of electrical demand and forced the suspension of classes in Havana.
However, days later, despite the crisis, Havana schools organized "anti-imperialist courts" with children dressed as judges to accuse the United States, in an escalation of the indoctrination that the regime continues to uphold while the country empties out.
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