Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the Matanzas municipality of Calimete on Friday afternoon, where he told a delegate from the People's Power Assembly that "we must be tough." This phrase, a familiar refrain in his speeches, is often used to assert that Cuba will overcome its ongoing crisis.
During what was described as a spontaneous meeting with local residents, Díaz-Canel emphasized the crucial role of the community in finding solutions to local issues. He stressed the importance of addressing and responding to the concerns of citizens, aligning with his consistent narrative of enhancing community participation as a way to tackle the nation's challenges.
A statement released on social media by the Provincial Assembly of Matanzas highlighted Díaz-Canel's speech, which focused on the collective responsibility and commitment of authorities to the population. The leader reiterated that the island's problems cannot be solved by outside forces, declaring, "we must be tough, we must fight, even in very difficult circumstances."
Community Participation as a Path Forward
"We try to observe successful experiences in different territories and generalize them so that poor experiences turn into good ones. This shows us that many groups are doing things differently and finding solutions to problems. Therefore, I am convinced, not just out of desire, but because of what we are witnessing, that we can emerge from this situation. However, it requires hard work and the effort of everyone," Díaz-Canel told the residents of Batey Jesús Sablón Moreno.
Díaz-Canel has repeatedly used the term "we must be tough" to call for resilience and perseverance among the Cuban population amid the economic crisis. In June 2024, during a public speech, he emphasized that no external entity would solve the island's issues, urging citizens to face the shortages of food and essential goods with patience and determination.
The "Toughness" Narrative
The rhetoric of "toughness" reinforces his strategy of community mobilization. However, it also highlights the lack of concrete solutions to meet the growing social and economic demands. This approach, while promoting community engagement, underscores the absence of effective measures to address the crisis that continues to affect Cuba.