On Monday, Miguel Díaz-Canel took to social media to share a video featuring the phrase "Fidel lives," coupled with a segment from a speech delivered by the iconic leader of the so-called "Cuban revolution" during the 1980s.
In the video, a confident Fidel Castro stated, "There's something we don't like, and that's being threatened. We don't like attempts to intimidate us: we have no taste for it. Furthermore, our people have long forgotten what fear is," emboldened by the support of the "socialist bloc."
This post from the leader installed by Raúl Castro comes amid rising tensions across the continent, just days after the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, followed by a series of warnings from Washington directed at Havana for its role in sustaining the Chavista regime.
U.S. Signals Tough Stance on Cuba
Díaz-Canel’s message subtly addresses the mounting diplomatic pressure on Cuba. Recently, key figures within the U.S. government hinted that Havana might soon face sanctions or "strategic containment" actions due to its military and intelligence activities in Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among the first to publicly suggest this, stating that "Cuba should be very concerned" following Maduro's downfall, reminding that the Cuban regime "has been the backbone supporting Chavismo for two decades."
Meanwhile, Donald Trump—who oversaw the operation from Mar-a-Lago—declared that "without Cuban support, the Venezuelan regime would have collapsed years ago," adding that "Havana will bear the consequences of its interference."
During a conversation with journalists aboard the Air Force One, Trump remarked that "the Cuban government should be very worried" and that "Havana's regime has propped up Venezuela's repressive machinery for years." He later reiterated that "Cuba is ready to fall," linking Maduro’s capture to a supposed "domino effect" impacting the Cuban regime.
In an interview with NBC, Rubio mentioned that "Maduro's security apparatus was controlled by Cubans," identifying Havana as "the true mastermind behind Venezuelan repression," and added that "Venezuela's liberation fatally weakens Cuba," with Washington determined to prevent that axis from re-establishing.
The underlying message is clear: Washington sees the survival of the Cuban regime as intertwined with its support for Maduro and considers a "neutralized Cuba" vital to prevent a resurgence of Chavismo.
Invoking the Legacy of Resistance
In this climate of pressure and "psychological warfare," the Cuban government clings to the narrative of resistance that defined Fidel Castro's era.
Díaz-Canel’s choice to publish the video is no coincidence: the selected footage—showcasing a defiant Fidel with a resolute voice during the Cold War years—aims to revive the story of a heroic people unafraid of the empire and standing firm against threats.
Yet, the old saying goes, "Tell me what you boast about, and I'll tell you what you lack." Behind the defiant rhetoric lies a deep political insecurity.
The Cuban government is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis, suppressed social unrest, mass emigration, and the isolation from former allies in Latin America. Unlike the 1980s, when Fidel could count on the socialist bloc's support and a tacit non-invasion guarantee negotiated with the USSR after the missile crisis, Díaz-Canel governs without such a safety net.
Today, Cuba is no longer the romantic epicenter of Latin American resistance but rather a weary nation with an ideological apparatus repeating gestures from a crumbling past and a leadership clinging to totalitarian power, unable to connect with the desires and needs of its people.
Implications of U.S.-Cuba Relations
What prompted Díaz-Canel's recent social media post?
Díaz-Canel's post was a response to increased diplomatic pressure from the U.S., following warnings and military actions against Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, with Cuba being implicated for supporting Maduro's regime.
How does the U.S. view Cuba's role in Venezuela?
The U.S. sees Cuba as a key supporter of the Venezuelan regime, with Cuban influence believed to be central to maintaining Maduro's power. U.S. officials have expressed that neutralizing Cuba's support is crucial to preventing a resurgence of Chavismo.
What challenges is the Cuban government currently facing?
Cuba is dealing with a severe economic crisis, social protests, mass emigration, and isolation from former Latin American allies, all without the support of a socialist bloc or a non-invasion guarantee that existed in the past.