The Union of Communist Youth awarded the title "Youth of the Centennial of Fidel" this Friday in Holguín to members of youth movements selected for upholding the ideology of the dictator Fidel Castro (1926-2016).
The recognition was awarded under the umbrella of the community network Cuba Viva and is part of the activities commemorating the centenary of Castro's birth, scheduled for next August 13, according to a report from the official newspaper ¡Ahora!
The event took place during the so-called Year of the Centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, proclaimed by the National Assembly in December 2025. Castro was born in Birán, Holguín, where the main event for the centenary is expected to be held.
The ceremony was presided over by Yiset González Borrego, the first secretary of the UJC in Holguín, who emphasized the honorees' commitment to preserving the political project initiated in 1959.
Among those recognized was Professor Víctor Manuel Ayón, who classified the distinction as "a great honor and a huge commitment" and emphasized the responsibility of preserving Castro's ideals.
Yailen Almaguer, an art instructor and leader of the sociocultural project Mágica de los Sueños, also received recognition. The young woman admitted that "working for culture in these times of shortages is difficult," although she felt that the award acknowledges the sacrifice.
The third distinguished honoree was Lázaro Doimeadios, a student and member of the Martian Youth Movement, who expressed his pride in following Martian and Fidelista ideas as a guide for his daily actions.
The activity took place through Cuba Viva, the seventh project of the Community Youth Network promoted by the regime in April. According to official figures, this structure is already operating in 1,263 of the 1,410 popular councils in the country.
At the same event, the José Martí Brigade of Art Instructors awarded recognitions to the children who won in the provincial competition for Plastic Arts and Literature "Fidel Eternal Leader."
The series of tributes takes place as the economic and social situation in the country continues to deteriorate, with repeated failures of the National Electric System (SEN), power outages lasting over 24 continuous hours, rising prices of basic food items, shortages of medications and medical supplies, as well as a decline in hygiene due to issues with garbage collection, among other problems.
Julio also recorded 1,415 protests, the highest number in the recent history of the island according to the Cuban Observatory of Conflicts. This figure contrasts with an official ceremony dedicated to celebrating Castro's political legacy and recognizing young individuals for their commitment to that project.
The UJC itself is also facing a significant loss of members. Between 2007 and 2024, it decreased from 609,000 to 415,000 members, a reduction of 32% attributed to mass emigration and ideological disillusionment.
Independent surveys from 2026 indicate that 97.61% of Cubans aged 18 to 30 disapprove of the government's performance and that 93% would emigrate if they could. Miguel Díaz-Canel himself has warned that youth participation in the Community Youth Network remains insufficient.
While the tributes to Castro are multiplying on the island, the central event for his centenary is scheduled for next Wednesday in Birán, the municipality in Holguín where he was born a hundred years ago.
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