Cuban Government Introduces Child Code Rooted in Fidel Castro's Values

The Cuban government recently unveiled plans for a new Child Code, drawing inspiration from the principles and ideals of the late dictator Fidel Castro. It also references other controversial figures such as Ernesto "Che" Guevara and is influenced by the propagandized version of José Martí. During an address to the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP), President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized that the code aims to safeguard and prepare children, adolescents, and young adults for the nation's future, steering them "in support of the Revolution."

"This is about the 'present and future of the country,' a code that must protect, not just embrace, but prepare our children, adolescents, and young people so they can 'develop all their capacities in favor of the Revolution,'" Díaz-Canel remarked, as reported by Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba.

The fundamental aim is to ensure the comprehensive development of the younger generations by deepening "values, ethics, and civic behavior," as Díaz-Canel stated. He highlighted the wealth of revolutionary pedagogy, asserting: "We have an arsenal in revolutionary pedagogy, thought, and law, in Fidel, the Che, and Martí," which should guide the drafting of the document.

Additionally, he advocated for a broad public consultation to discuss the code's content, involving educators, children, teenagers, and families, akin to the process for the Family Code, "but without the need for a referendum," he noted.

The proposal also addressed violence against minors, stating that "in Cuba, no one in these age groups should feel disadvantaged or unsafe in their educational settings." However, these declarations contrast with frequent reports from human rights organizations and independent media about institutional violence and state repression, often involving threats to parents or guardians of minors regarding custody issues.

A Context of Indoctrination and State Control

Education in Cuba has long been characterized by a strong ideological component. From an early age, children are exposed to practices aimed at instilling the values of the Revolution. For instance, in April 2024, it was reported that children in Matanzas participated in pioneer parades celebrating May Day, where loyalty to historical leaders and the "continuity" of the political system was instilled.

Similarly, in December 2024, a Christian church in Havana was criticized for allowing a captain of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) to conduct military life talks for children, highlighting a concerning collaboration between the church and the Cuban regime to promote official ideology.

In November 2024, Díaz-Canel urged children to follow Fidel Castro's ideology, reinforcing indoctrination from the highest levels of power. These actions reflect a systematic strategy to shape the consciousness of new generations to align with state interests.

Moreover, in February 2024, a video surfaced showing a teacher and Communist Party member visiting a fifth-grade classroom to discuss the "honor" of being a militant, emphasizing the need to "be like Fidel." Such activities in educational settings bolster the presence of official ideology in school curricula.

The recent proposal for the Child Code, inspired by revolutionary figures, is part of this tradition of indoctrination. While it is presented as an initiative to protect and prepare new generations, various sectors of Cuban society and international observers express concern over the political instrumentalization of childhood.

The absence of a pluralistic debate and the imposition of a single ideological perspective could hinder the development of critical and autonomous thinking among Cuban children and youth. As the Cuban government advocates for a new Child Code rooted in revolutionary values, criticisms persist regarding the use of education as a tool for political indoctrination.

The Code as a Tool of Repression

Given the documented history of threats and state repression, there is concern that the new Child Code could be used as a legal tool for social control and to suppress political dissidents and activists in Cuba. The precedent of using the children of dissidents as leverage raises doubts about the true intentions behind this legislation. Terms like "instilling revolutionary values" and "defending the Homeland" in the legal framework could facilitate punitive measures disguised as child protection efforts.

In March 2024, the State Security allegedly threatened the wife of a political prisoner, warning her to stop denouncing abuses against her imprisoned husband or risk losing custody of her children. In December 2023, activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo faced threats of having her child custody revoked due to her political activism and public denunciations against the regime.

In February 2023, the ex-husband of an imprisoned dissident was similarly threatened, being warned that his children might be taken away if he continued to publicly denounce his ex-partner's situation.

The aforementioned cases illustrate a recurring pattern of threats linked to the custody of dissidents' children. While the official discourse promotes the creation of an oversight system to monitor the implementation of the Code, the history of state repression suggests it might become another control mechanism.

These precedents generate skepticism about the effective implementation of the proposed Child Code, especially regarding the rights and safety of minors in Cuba, and raise alarms about the potential use of the legislation to reinforce state repression under a legal guise.