The Cuban visual artist and writer, Emmanuel Castillo, has issued a poignant message to the youth conscripted by the Castro regime to suppress protests. He challenges the official narrative, denounces military privileges, and implores them not to turn their weapons against their own people.
In a short video shared on the Instagram account of the NGO Juventud Cuba, Castillo addresses those "counting the days until their discharge" and those placed "on combat readiness" without understanding why.
According to the young artist, the political power is trying to prepare them for a war they have "already lost," orchestrated by others, but it is they who bear the brunt.
Unveiling the Truth Behind the Shield
Castillo dismantles a key tenet of the official discourse by asserting that they are not "the shield of the Revolution" but rather the shield "of a group of generals investing in hotels while you go hungry," alluding to GAESA, the military conglomerate that dominates much of Cuba's tourism and other economic sectors.
Even amid the pandemic and the ensuing years, the island's military and governmental elite prioritized the construction of luxury hotels, starkly contrasting with the economic and social realities faced by most Cubans, who live amid blackouts, food and medicine shortages, and insufficient wages.
The Call to Stand Down
In his message, Castillo emphasizes the disparity between the sacrifices demanded of the youth and the benefits accrued by the ruling class and their kin, whom he accuses of enriching themselves while the majority live in impoverishment.
Castillo warns that in times of blackouts, confusion, and crisis, the authorities will attempt to turn the people into an internal enemy.
On July 11, 2021, during historical protests that spread across several Cuban cities, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, in a televised address, insisted that "the street belonged to the revolutionaries" and issued a combat order for uniformed officers and shock troops to take to the streets to suppress demonstrators.
In this context, Castillo asserts that those ordered to shoot will not see mercenaries but their own families, struggling with scarcity and a lack of future.
Facing the Consequences
The message highlights that repressing the people only extends decades of misery and that true bravery lies not in pulling the trigger but in lowering the weapon.
Castillo argues that the officers giving orders will not bear the aftermath of the crisis, while those who obey will carry the moral and social burden of their actions.
The audio concludes with a plea not to be used as "the last nail in a coffin that is already sealed" and not to fear freedom or one's own conscience.
The Cuban government has designated Saturdays for military training due to rising tensions with the United States, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The regime seeks to increase the preparedness and readiness of the population in what they perceive as an external threat.
This move is part of a national defense narrative aimed at maintaining internal political cohesion amid international criticism and pressure.
Understanding the Dynamics of Cuban Military Mobilization
What message did Emmanuel Castillo convey to Cuban youth?
Emmanuel Castillo urged Cuban youth not to serve as tools for military repression, highlighting the disparity between their struggles and the privileges of the ruling elite.
Why does Castillo criticize the Cuban government's military focus?
Castillo criticizes the government's focus on military readiness and luxury hotel construction, contrasting it with the economic hardships faced by the Cuban populace.
How did the Cuban government respond to the July 11, 2021 protests?
The Cuban government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, responded to the protests by declaring the streets belonged to revolutionaries and ordered troops to suppress the demonstrations.