Cuban Leader Claims National Assembly Is World's Most Representative

In a recent statement, Cuba's leader Miguel Díaz-Canel reiterated his assertion that the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) is "the most representative in the world." During his closing remarks at the fourth regular session of this government body, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) defended the one-party parliament's makeup, claiming it genuinely reflects the diversity of the Cuban people.

"Those who demand democracy from Cuba without understanding what they are asking for should look at these men and women who share the same struggles as their neighbors," Díaz-Canel stated. He emphasized the diversity within the ANPP, expressing his remarkable belief that no other assembly in the world has members who resemble the people they represent as closely.

He elaborated, saying, "Young and old, white, black, mulatto, mestizo—all, whether workers, farmers, teachers, doctors, economists, artists, intellectuals, athletes, self-employed, innovators, or scientists—there is no other assembly that mirrors the people it represents more accurately," said the leader appointed by General Raúl Castro.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite Díaz-Canel's assertions, his claims have been consistently met with criticism both domestically and internationally. While the regime attempts to project an image of inclusivity, opposition voices and international experts question the authenticity of this representation. The ANPP is exclusively composed of members aligned with the PCC, limiting the ideological spectrum and excluding dissenting opinions.

A truly representative parliament should reflect a plurality of ideas, visions, and political stances that characterize a diverse society. In democratic systems, this plurality is ensured through free elections, multiparty systems, and freedom of expression. This allows various social and political groups to debate, propose, and oppose, thereby constructing a system that genuinely represents collective interests while respecting diversity.

The Illusion of Inclusion

Unlike this ideal, the ANPP operates under a framework where all decisions are validated by the PCC, eliminating any chance for genuine dissent or debate. Representation should not be confined to demographic factors like race, gender, or occupation. While these elements are essential, they lack significance if not accompanied by the freedom to express critical ideas or propose alternatives.

Rather than a partisan uniformity, a truly representative assembly requires political diversity, tolerance for differences, and effective mechanisms to transform the people's voices into tangible legislative actions. According to analysts and critics, this is missing in the Cuban model, where absolute control restricts any possibility of genuine popular representation.

An Empty Democracy

Previous reports from CiberCuba have highlighted how the Cuban Parliament operates under a system that ensures unanimity in voting. In 2024, the Assembly approved all measures presented by the Executive without a single dissenting vote, a situation consistently criticized by civil society as indicative of the absence of genuine internal debate.

This pattern repeats annually, as reported in 2021, when Díaz-Canel used the ANPP to categorically deny the existence of imprisoned children in Cuba, despite international and familial reports revealing cases of minors incarcerated following the massive protests on July 11.

Additionally, the discourse on the "authenticity" of Cuban democracy has been questioned due to the lack of mechanisms for genuine citizen participation. In 2021, during a period of heightened social tension, Díaz-Canel referred to Cuba as a "rare dictatorship" in response to international criticism, downplaying the public's grievances about the lack of rights and political freedoms.

Another point of criticism has been the lack of transparency in the selection processes for deputies. Although Díaz-Canel defends the diversity of occupations and races in Parliament, opponents emphasize that all candidates are approved by the PCC, eliminating any possibility of competition or independent representation.

Echoing Joseph Goebbels' maxim — Nazi Germany's Propaganda Minister — that "a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth," the communist totalitarian regime, which has ruled Cuba for over 60 years through violent imposition, persistently portrays the ANPP as an example of democracy and representation to "legitimize" itself. However, the absence of genuine political debate, real participation, and the exclusion of critical voices render the ANPP an instrument serving the PCC's interests rather than the people it professes to represent, as increasingly denounced by Cuban civil society and international organizations.