Multitudes of criticisms have flooded Miguel Díaz-Canel following his Father's Day message shared on Twitter. The Cuban leader routinely posts messages on this date, but this year, amidst the severe energy crisis and relentless blackouts plaguing the nation, he chose to dedicate his message to a worker in the electrical sector.
"Happy Father's Day and thank you for setting an example to Cubans like Antonio, a thermoelectric mechanic who faces and overcomes the nation's greatest challenges, inspiring his children," he wrote, accompanied by a photo of the worker with his daughter.
Several Cubans reminded the leader of the grim reality many Cuban families face, mired in extreme scarcity and hardship, unable to celebrate anything this Sunday due to the poor policies of his government.
"How do you expect Cuban fathers to celebrate? With no food, barely any water, no milk for their children, and nothing for the elderly! Your tyranny must end. I can't wait for the day you are gone! You despicable, fat tyrant," a Cuban woman expressed from New Jersey.
A man from Santiago recalled Adam Smith when he said that no society can be happy and prosperous if the majority of its citizens are poor and miserable. "Eighty-eight percent of the Cuban population lives in endemic poverty, under rampant inflation, and a repressive apparatus that prevents protests," he emphasized.
"Congratulations to all the fathers who have been separated from their children because of communism," noted an internet user, referencing the mass migration that has torn apart thousands of Cuban families.
"This isn't a reality show, and we don't want any more challenges, buddy," remarked a soccer enthusiast.
"Did they connect the nuclear submarine to end the blackouts?" mocked another man.
Some netizens used Antonio's story, the electrical worker Díaz-Canel highlighted, to underscore their critical comments.
"Everything with this guy is about challenges, difficulties, and creative resistance. Poor Antonio, thanks to an inept and clumsy president, today he won't be able to enjoy roast meat, a cold beer, or a decent family meal because he only earns eight dollars a month," one person questioned.
"I hope you also draw inspiration from Antonio and make the right decisions to reverse this situation caused by poor governance. It's not about creative resistance; it's about giving our children a better future in Cuba and being consistent," emphasized a young father.
Cuban Crisis and Government Policies
In light of the ongoing crisis in Cuba and the government's policies, here are some key questions and answers that might help clarify the situation.
What sparked the outrage among Cubans over Díaz-Canel's Father's Day message?
Cubans were outraged because Díaz-Canel's message seemed out of touch with the severe hardships faced by many families due to the ongoing energy crisis and economic mismanagement, making it difficult for them to celebrate Father's Day.
Who did Díaz-Canel dedicate his Father's Day message to?
Díaz-Canel dedicated his message to Antonio, a thermoelectric mechanic, praising his ability to face and overcome national challenges and inspire his children.
How has the economic crisis affected Cuban families?
The economic crisis has led to extreme scarcity of basic necessities such as food, water, and milk, leaving many families unable to celebrate special occasions and living in poor conditions.