In a recent address, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel reiterated his claims that the United States poses a threat to Cuba's sovereignty, asserting that American policies aim to annex the island. This was highlighted during a Monday gathering with young people in the Sierra Maestra, commemorating the start of the Necessary War organized by José Martí in 1895. Díaz-Canel drew parallels between Cuba's past struggle for independence from Spain and today's political climate.
The Cuban president emphasized that the nation's Revolution is enduring a "war of continuity" against those allegedly seeking to divide the populace and encourage Cuba's annexation by the United States. "Today, all of you are engaging in an exercise of unity, around a fundamental motivation: history, and how to live the present history from the preceding history, to ensure its continuity into the future," Díaz-Canel stated during a televised address on the National Television News (NTV).
These remarks are part of the regime's longstanding narrative, which often cites an external threat to justify its political and economic control over Cuban society. "Are there not people today who wish to divide us, aspiring to annexation? What is the U.S. policy aimed at destroying the Cuban Revolution seeking? Precisely: annexation. Therefore, it remains a current issue. Today's battle is also a necessary war, a war of continuity. There is symbolism and significance in that," Díaz-Canel concluded.
The event, organized by the Union of Young Communists, brought together 130 young participants in Santiago de Cuba, who expressed their support for the Revolution and denounced the U.S. embargo. Some voiced economic hardships attributed to the blockade, while others raised concerns about the country's internal issues. The Cuban government has frequently relied on historical manipulation to link political opposition and pro-democracy activism with the supposed intent of annexing the island to the U.S., an idea that was popular in the 19th century but is now largely a marginal propaganda tool.
Díaz-Canel ended his speech by urging unity and commitment to the Revolution, aiming to reinforce the loyalty of the youth to the Cuban system amidst a deepening social and economic crisis.
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Relations
What does Díaz-Canel claim about U.S. intentions toward Cuba?
Díaz-Canel claims that the United States has intentions to annex Cuba, posing a threat to its sovereignty.
How does Díaz-Canel relate historical events to current politics?
He draws a parallel between the historical fight for independence from Spain and the current political situation, suggesting that the Revolution faces a "war of continuity."
What is the purpose of the regime's narrative according to critics?
Critics argue that the regime uses the narrative of an external threat to justify its political and economic control over society.