The old propaganda machine of the Cuban regime attempted once again to deceive the public by showcasing a crowd gathered at La Piragua on the Malecón of Havana. Officially, they were there to welcome the Olympic delegation, but the regime claimed the gathering was to celebrate the anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth. The reality was far from this narrative: neither was this the reason for the assembly, nor was the turnout significant. The propagandists from the Palace, well-versed in turning defeats into victories, seized the event, held on the night of August 12, to present it as a festive tribute to the dictator.
“Cuba awaited its 98th birthday last night in a sea of youth, chanting in unison Fidel, Fidel, Fidel with the same passion as their parents and grandparents. It is the name of the Cuban Revolution for all times. Happy birthday, Commander. We will overcome,” tweeted the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel.
His post included photographs of the attendees, and judging by the images, the "sea of youth, chanting in unison Fidel, Fidel, Fidel" was no more than a few hundred people, consisting mainly of athletes, their families, authorities, and curious onlookers drawn by the music from the loudspeakers on the podium.
During the event, Cuban wrestler and five-time Olympic champion Mijaín López took the microphone to officially turn the athletes' reception into a rally in support of the so-called "revolution."
“We are just minutes away from a very special birthday, that of our invincible commander Fidel Castro Ruz. I believe that with our presence here, we are reaffirming all the continuity he left in this homeland. And we are happy to be here, representing our people today, tomorrow, and forever,” said Mijaín at La Piragua.
The so-called “continuity” led by the ruler appointed by retired General Raúl Castro is a failure in terms of communication and connection with the regime's base supporters. Every event designed to gather crowds and show unity around Díaz-Canel ends up as a flop due to low attendance and the evident lack of motivation among the people.
The rejection that these propaganda events generate, especially during the country’s severe socioeconomic crisis, results in sparse participation, even when transportation and coercive measures are employed to encourage attendance.
Thus, the Cuban regime has recently preferred to cling to the “fuel crisis” excuse to avoid holding the large political demonstrations of the past. For example, the May Day celebrations in 2023 were postponed due to alleged adverse weather conditions that never materialized. Even though official propaganda insisted these events showed strong societal support for Miguel Díaz-Canel's government, the images revealed a rather scant turnout.
Understanding the Sparse Attendance at Fidel Castro's Tribute
This section addresses common questions regarding the recent tribute to Fidel Castro and its implications for the Cuban regime.
Why was the turnout at Fidel Castro's tribute so low?
The low turnout can be attributed to widespread discontent and disillusionment with the Cuban regime, especially amidst the severe socioeconomic crisis the country is facing.
What was the official reason for the gathering at La Piragua?
Officially, the gathering was to welcome the Olympic delegation. However, the regime claimed it was to celebrate the anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth.
How did the Cuban regime portray the event?
The regime portrayed the event as a festive tribute to Fidel Castro, despite the low turnout and lack of genuine enthusiasm among the attendees.