As 2024 draws to a close, a year that has been particularly harsh for the Cuban people, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the nation's leader, shared a congratulatory message steeped in his typical "revolutionary" rhetoric, seemingly detached from the harsh realities faced by the Cuban populace.
On the social media platform X, Díaz-Canel addressed the Cuban people as "compatriots," praising them for their supposed "heroism" and declaring that they have "overcome" 2024. This year has been characterized by dire economic indicators, underscoring the deepening crisis that continues to suffocate Cuba and its citizens.
In his message, Díaz-Canel offered "endless thanks for the heroism in the face of the barbarity of the economic war waged against us," once again resorting to his familiar narrative of attributing the country's hardships to external factors. This repetitive and out-of-touch discourse overlooks the severe structural and internal management failures that have plunged Cuba into one of its most critical periods in recent history.
The leader urged Cubans to "remember the year not for its obstacles and shortages," but because "together we overcame them." This attempt to gloss over the stark reality of 2024 stands in stark contrast to the struggles of many families who lack the resources for even a modest celebration, highlighting the challenges that have defined the year.
The claim that "together we overcame" rings hollow for a population burdened by inflation, shortages, and mass migration, direct consequences of a system unable to provide real solutions. Recently, at the Eurasian Economic Union Supreme Council meeting held in St. Petersburg, Russia, where Cuba attended as an observer, Díaz-Canel claimed that 2025 would be a prosperous year for the Caribbean nation.
However, such statements were made while Cuba languishes in poverty, with the leader clinging to a reality that does not exist on the ground and a future that remains uncertain for a country as ravaged by poverty and scarcity as it is today.
Yet, the year also brought other "noteworthy" statements from Díaz-Canel. During the closing of the IX Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Party, he acknowledged that 2024 was a tough year in which "we practically lived day to day," though he reverted to his tired discourse of solving problems through "creative resistance."
Similarly, at the closing of the National Assembly of People's Power, Díaz-Canel proclaimed that Cubans are heroes "fighting without tears." In a new speech filled with the same hollow slogans he has repeated for years, he asserted that millions of Cubans form the body and soul of "a revolution that constantly resists and rebuilds itself."
Understanding the Economic and Social Challenges in Cuba
What are the main economic challenges Cuba faced in 2024?
In 2024, Cuba faced significant economic challenges, including severe inflation, shortages of basic goods, and a deepening economic crisis that has affected the livelihoods of many citizens.
How has the Cuban government's rhetoric been perceived by its citizens?
The Cuban government's rhetoric, particularly from Díaz-Canel, has often been viewed as disconnected from the daily struggles of its citizens, focusing on external factors rather than addressing internal issues.