In the aftermath of Hurricane Rafael's devastating impact on the province of Artemisa, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel took to social media to declare with a tone of triumph that "Cuba is resilient and fighting back." He stated, "Every time we face significant challenges, knowing we can overcome them, we begin to prevail. Cuba is standing tall and fighting. We will triumph," in an apparent effort to quell the criticism following his management of the crisis after Hurricane Oscar hit Guantánamo.
Troubling Times Amidst Propaganda Efforts
Even before Hurricane Rafael reached Artemisa, Díaz-Canel ramped up his triumphant rhetoric and communist propaganda, in a futile attempt to convey calm and mask the turbulent reality the nation faces, including another widespread power outage. "We checked the country's weather situation early. We are in constant communication with the areas that will experience the most severe effects from Hurricane Rafael. We are well-prepared and will immediately begin the recovery process. Strength to Cuba!" Díaz-Canel posted on social media just hours before the hurricane wreaked havoc in Artemisa.
Efforts to Restore Díaz-Canel’s Image
From the Presidency's social media account, images were shared showing Díaz-Canel touring parts of Havana, where teams from the FAR, MININT, and MINAG were engaged in recovery operations. With the fresh memory of the destruction and loss caused by Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo, the regime is deeply involved in "cleansing" Díaz-Canel's image.
Discrepancies Between Words and Reality
Last Tuesday, as Rafael threatened the western part of the island, Díaz-Canel claimed the country was "prepared and organized" to face this new threat. However, this assertion starkly contrasts with the harsh reality of the government's recent crisis management. The persistent narrative of resilience and readiness seems to be more of a strategy to deflect attention from the ongoing struggles under the communist regime.