After an initial period of mysterious silence, Cuban leaders Miguel Díaz-Canel and Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla have finally spoken out regarding the fall of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime on Sunday. Assad's family had ruled the Arab nation for over five decades. "I spoke today with our ambassador in the Syrian Arab Republic. We are concerned about the events unfolding in this nation. We call for the preservation of Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, as well as the safety of the diplomatic missions stationed there," Díaz-Canel posted on X.
A few hours later, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla shared a brief statement from Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) on his social media regarding the situation in Syria. The statement expressed "deep concern over the rapidly unfolding events in the Syrian Arab Republic, which led to the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's government by opposing armed groups."
MINREX reiterated "the firm call to maintain Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, as well as to respect the safety and security of the diplomatic missions in the Arab nation." The ministry concluded by confirming that the diplomatic personnel in Syria are "safe and following established contingency plans with discipline, unity, and commitment."
In the comments section of Díaz-Canel and Parrilla's posts on X, users expressed understanding of the Cuban government's "concern" following the downfall of one of the world's longest-standing dictatorships. "When you see your neighbor's beard on fire... You won't find a place to hide the day this people rise to reclaim the country you and those who placed you stole," wrote a user dubbed "Liborio en Cuba."
Users also commented, "Miguel, with ugly images coming from Syria, you should be more careful with your friendships"; "Of course, you have to be concerned if a dictator falls... Do you feel identified?"; "Worry about Cuba and how you will end up, it won't be anything good"; "You're worried about the example it could set for the Cuban people, dictatorships are NOT eternal, tick-tock, tick-tock..."; "No dictatorship lasts forever. Cuba will return to democracy soon," wrote others on social media.
Another Cuban user warned, "Days are numbered. I imagine you are sweating and scared. Another ally has vanished, Maduro is about to fall, and you are next. I would start collecting the material things you have plundered from the Cuban nation."
There were also those who questioned whether Díaz-Canel had ever called for the preservation of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Delayed Reaction Following Initial Silence
The Cuban regime's initial silence following the fall of the Syrian dictatorship drew attention among analysts and opposition figures, given Assad's long-standing alliance with Cuba. In 1973, Cuba sent a tank brigade to the war against Israel, in which the then Syrian dictator Hafez al-Assad, father of the ousted Bashar al-Assad, participated.
For decades, Fidel Castro described the relationship between the two countries as a "solid friendship," asserting that Syria supported Havana's political stances. In 2010, Bashar al-Assad made an official visit to Cuba and even met with Raúl Castro. According to Cuban official media at the time, the visit reaffirmed “the deep and unbreakable bonds of friendship” between the two governments.
This connection continued to be evident on the international stage in March 2021, when Cuba voted against the draft resolution titled “Situation of Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic” at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The initiative, presented by several nations, strongly condemned human rights violations and abuses, as well as crimes against humanity and war crimes attributed to the al-Assad regime.
On December 4, the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs stated he had held a phone conversation with Bassam Sabbagh, the Syrian Foreign Minister, expressing support in the face of terrorist group attacks on several cities in Syria, emphasizing the "need to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that sister nation."
Insights into Cuba's Stance on Syria's Political Crisis
Why did Cuba initially remain silent about the situation in Syria?
Cuba's initial silence on Syria's political crisis might have been due to the longstanding alliance and support between the two regimes, raising questions among analysts and opposition figures.
What was the nature of Cuba and Syria's relationship?
Cuba and Syria shared a "solid friendship" for decades, with mutual support on political matters and alliances in international platforms, as seen in Cuba's opposition to the UN resolution condemning Assad's regime.