Amid growing public discontent, the Cuban regime organized a welcome rally for leader Miguel Díaz-Canel in Yateras, Guantánamo, mobilizing dozens of militants and children for the event.
"The people of Yateras welcome Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic of Cuba, who has a direct connection with the people in the streets of the Palenque Popular Council," the official press posted alongside a video and photos of the visit, reported the local newspaper Venceremos.
The images show more than a hundred people celebrating Díaz-Canel's arrival, surrounded by his personal guard and dozens of agents from the State Security and the Ministry of the Interior. From a balcony overlooking the plaza, a group of school children in primary uniforms greeted the leader, who later visited the primary school.
Contrived Enthusiasm Amidst Poverty
The leader has toured several impoverished towns across the island, often welcomed by these pre-arranged groups designed to mask the widespread public discontent. During these tours, Díaz-Canel typically inquires about issues such as worker welfare, salaries, profit distribution, food prices, and production stability, as he did this Thursday in Yateras.
In Yateras, he showed interest in the connection with new economic actors and called for monitoring the integration of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises into the local development strategy. He also noted several closed sales points, stating that "they should be selling food to the people," according to Venceremos, which recently covered a tour in Baracoa, in the same province.
Since early February, when the government decided to halt the implementation of a set of economic measures that had caused significant concern and heightened public discontent, Díaz-Canel has been visiting municipalities and pledged to go to "places that are not functioning well."
In almost all the territories visited, he has been greeted by enthusiastic supporters, such as in Río Cauto, where three women praised the leader on television, claiming they were "thrilled to see him." One elderly woman likened the visit to "seeing God Fidel again."
Cubans on social media created a reggaeton song with the chorus "I get thrilled," which has gone viral due to the stark contrast between their reactions and the current living conditions in Cuba. Similarly, in Palmira, Cienfuegos, several elderly people expressed pride and satisfaction at the end of a report by Cuban Television, showing gratitude for the leader's visit to their municipality.
Recently, Díaz-Canel visited Amancio, in Las Tunas, where he was met by a group of people who barely smiled and mostly listened to him. During that visit, he acknowledged the public discontent over the "terrible" power outages plaguing the country.
Understanding Díaz-Canel's Visits and Public Reactions
To delve deeper into the recent activities and public reactions to Miguel Díaz-Canel's visits across Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why is there growing public discontent in Cuba?
The public discontent stems from economic hardships, including low wages, high food prices, and frequent power outages, exacerbated by government policies and the overall economic situation in the country.
What is the purpose of Díaz-Canel's visits to various Cuban towns?
Díaz-Canel's visits aim to show a direct connection with the people, assess local issues, and promote government policies. These visits are often met with pre-organized groups to present a facade of support and enthusiasm.