Cuban Leader Díaz-Canel Reiterates Resilience Rhetoric at Combatants' Assembly Conclusion

On Saturday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel concluded the National Assembly of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution with a familiar call for resilience. His speech came amidst the island's ongoing economic and social turmoil, recently exacerbated by a widespread blackout that began on Friday, March 14. Throughout his address, Díaz-Canel reiterated the official narrative of the Cuban people's "heroic resistance" against adversity, laying blame on the U.S. embargo for the nation's dire situation.

In a defiant tone, the president asserted, "Cuba will not surrender," emphasizing the government's commitment to the socialist model despite numerous challenges. "Today, in the face of threats aimed at economically suffocating our people to subdue, humiliate, and destroy the Cuban Revolution, we defend unity as called for by the General of the Army, protecting it as our most precious asset. With the Cuban people's heroic resistance, we defend sovereignty and strive to enhance the tremendous social justice work achieved through socialist construction in Cuba," Díaz-Canel declared.

The leader also invoked Cuban history, referencing the Baraguá Protest led by Antonio Maceo, stating, "Maceo defended principles we now hold as revolutionary convictions: unity, sovereignty, and social justice. He protested because the Pact of Zanjón stemmed from disunity within the mambí ranks and failed to guarantee sovereignty or the abolition of slavery."

The event gathered high-ranking officials from the Communist Party, members of the Council of State, and veterans of the Revolution, all emphasizing the importance of unity and ideological discipline to newer generations while urging them to "keep the combatants' legacy alive."

However, the reality facing many Cuban Revolution veterans starkly contrasts with the official rhetoric. Despite the discourse on upholding revolutionary values, numerous ex-combatants live in neglect and poverty. Recent reports highlight how many survive by selling cans on the street for food, without any support from the government they once staunchly defended.

Their pleas for better living conditions go unheard by authorities, who only remember them during commemorative events but fail to provide dignified assistance. "There aren't even floral tributes for their graves," lament some relatives of deceased combatants, pointing to a lack of recognition and support.

This situation underscores the disconnect between Díaz-Canel's speeches and the reality of a forgotten population, where "resilience" appears more a survival necessity than an ideological loyalty.

"From this combative platform, I want to share, as my own conviction, the idea expressed by the General of the Army on the 65th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution's Triumph: 'For us Cuban revolutionaries, challenges don't keep us awake at night. Our only path is to continue the struggle with optimism and unwavering faith in victory,'" Díaz-Canel added to applause.

The assembly's closure occurred amid rising social discontent, with sporadic protests erupting across various regions and a political crisis challenging the government's stability. Nevertheless, Díaz-Canel reaffirmed his commitment to resilience and allegiance to Cuba's current political model, showing no intention of implementing structural changes in the economy or governmental management.