Raúl Castro's Defiant Declaration: "I'm Still Young! Any Doubts?"

At the VI National Conference of the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution, General Raúl Castro made one of his characteristic proclamations, exclaiming, "I'm still young! Any doubts?" With an imaginary foot in the stirrup of his advocates, the aging dictator fires his last futile shots to achieve the promised paradise of *Castrismo*: securing the regime’s perpetuity by deifying the so-called "revolution" and its leaders.

Nearing 94, the once youthful rebel with a high-pitched voice and overshadowed by his brother, reaffirmed his intention to remain a central figure in Cuba's power structure—despite appointing Miguel Díaz-Canel as his successor. Or perhaps, precisely because of it.

The elderly assertion of his youth, broadcasted by the National Television News (NTV), highlights his desperation to maintain his de facto leadership role of the Cuban regime, ensuring the "continuity" for the benefit of the families constituting the mafia-like, violent power structure that seized the state over 60 years ago.

After seizing control of the nation, its wealth, stripping Cubans of their rights and freedoms, subjecting them to communist ideology, and dismantling individual and civil society, the heir of a decrepit Fidel Castro seeks to pass on to his heirs a "crony capitalism" that consolidates his oligarchic and privileged position in a post-communist Cuba rife with poverty, inequality, and hopelessness.

The Shadowy Path from Second to Successor

In the shadow of his brother, Raúl Castro always operated, but his rise to power was a natural consequence of the Cuban regime's dynamics. In 2006, he took charge of the country temporarily after the "commander" fell ill, and in 2008, he was formally appointed president of the Council of State and Ministers.

He marketed himself as a reformer, yet his efforts were insufficient to address the country's severe economic crisis. His main "achievement" during his decade in power was restoring diplomatic relations with the United States under Barack Obama's administration.

The image of the dictator raising Obama's limp arm, as if a trophy from a geopolitical hunt, remains a testament to the infamy. He squawked defiantly at foreign press inquiries about political prisoners.

Then came the "crickets" of his son, Colonel Alejandro Castro Espín, into the ears of U.S. Embassy officials in Havana; then Donald Trump arrived, ending the "party" that had the elderly general so nervous. He only felt secure with his grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, alias "El Cangrejo," guarding his back, and the late Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, managing his funds in the coffers of the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA).

Unfulfilled Promises and the Elusive Glass of Milk

One of the most memorable episodes of his tenure was the promise made in 2007 to ensure "a glass of milk for all Cubans." This statement, meant to symbolize an improvement in quality of life, never came to fruition. In fact, food and basic goods shortages have been a constant during his time and that of his successor.

The island's economic reality has continued to deteriorate, plagued by an inefficient production system, reliance on remittances, and the crises of its main allies, Venezuela and Russia, now embroiled in a war that only God knows how the Cuban regime wishes to see end.

Díaz-Canel's Ascension and the Shadowy Control

In 2018, Raúl handed the presidency to Díaz-Canel in a tightly controlled power transfer overseen by the so-called "old revolutionary guard." Although Díaz-Canel tried to project an image of renewal, his actions have further favored the oligarchy, waving the old flags and slogans of Castrismo without Fidel.

Raúl retained leadership of the Communist Party until 2021, when he formally retired, passing the baton (but not the command) again to the leader of "continuity." This leader crowned himself as the first secretary of the party, earned a doctorate, awarded a doctorate to his wife, Lis Cuesta Peraza, appointed her son, Manuel Anido Cuesta, as a personal advisor, and three performances of La Colmenita later, rose as father-in-law to starlet Ana de Armas, perhaps the only "success" he can showcase in his role.

Castro's strategy has been clear: ensure that power remains with the usual suspects, distributing crumbs among second-tier loyalists and third-tier minions. This is how he plans to ensure the "revolution's" legacy continues beyond his existence.

In this context, his recent statements at the combatants’ conference aim to reinforce his already precarious role as the regime's stability guarantor.

A Political "Youth" Seeking Castrismo's Eternity

The phrase "I'm still young" is not just a challenge to the inexorable passage of time, but also sends a clear message to those who might think his era is over. Raúl Castro remains a decisive factor in the country's decision-making, and his presence at key regime events is a demonstration of the fetishism of his heirs.

Throughout his career, he has shown adaptability to those setbacks that rhetoric turns into "victories" (a special talent for dictators), but without yielding an inch in the essentials: absolute control of power. His message this Monday reaffirms that Castrismo has no intention of disappearing and that Cuba's power dynamics have remained unchanged for decades.

However, the current context is different: the economic crisis has worsened, emigration has reached historical levels, and social discontent has manifested in unprecedented protests. Although Raúl proclaims the falsehood of his "youth," the reality indicates that the system he represents faces a crisis of legitimacy and sustainability.

The Legacy of a Leader Who Refuses to Retire

Raúl Castro's presence at the combatants’ conference and his defiant message are a testament to how Castrismo clings to power. His "youth" is pure survival instinct, responding to the need to keep alive the regime he built with his brother.

In a country mired in the crisis he himself predicted, with a population tired of unfulfilled promises and a young generation seeking opportunities outside the island, the question many ask is not if Raúl remains young, but if his political model has a future.

For now, the regime's response remains the same as always: continuity and absolute control, leaving no room for democratic transition. As for Raúl's longevity, even the British portal Deathlist.net does not include him in its 2025 list. Is he considered eternal, or merely a political cadaver of the regime he helped found?

"Did you hear over there? And over there?" Raúl asked and concluded before leaving his veteran comrades in the auditorium on Monday. With cheers and applause, they affirmed they had heard his words. But did those beyond also hear?