Recently, Fidel Castro Smirnov, grandson of the infamous Cuban leader, admitted during a conference in London that the threat to Cuba "has never been more imminent."
At a time when the Cuban regime is exceptionally vulnerable, Castro Smirnov—son of the late Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart—made this statement during his participation in the "¡Adelante! Latin America!" conference held at Hamilton House. The audience included activists, British parliamentarians, and representatives from left-wing movements.
Facing the Crisis While Upholding Ideals
Castro Smirnov took many by surprise with his frank acknowledgment of the "severe situation in Cuba," which he attributed to the "deep deterioration" of island society. However, rather than addressing internal failures, his speech focused on blaming external adversaries and reaffirming his family's legacy as a guiding light, as reported by ANSA Latina.
“We rely on Fidel’s legacy and ideas as our main reference for the future,” he stated, invoking his grandfather as both symbol and guide for the Cuban socialist model amid an unparalleled crisis.
Despite fuel shortages, blackouts, rampant inflation, and a mass exodus, the official narrative clings to the imagery of "revolutionary resistance."
Pointing Fingers at the U.S.
A significant part of his speech involved direct accusations against the United States, particularly targeting President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio, whom he blamed for worsening conditions on the Island.
“We see Donald Trump and Marco Rubio obsessed with destroying my country,” he said, adding, “They offer us a deal. They say: ‘Give up your dignity, kneel before me, and I will return your light.’ That is not diplomacy. It's a slave auction.”
Castro Smirnov escalated his rhetoric with a scientific metaphor to defend the regime's stance against international sanctions: “Donald Trump thinks pressure leads to submission. He is wrong. Pressure fosters resistance,” he argued, insisting that “loyalty is not a transaction.”
A Crumbling Cuba and Persistent Propaganda
Extended power outages, food and medicine shortages, transportation paralysis, escalating repression, and unprecedented emigration form the backdrop for this political propaganda message. Castro Smirnov argued that the solution lies in ideological and collective action.
“We have shown that with intelligence, proper strategies, and unity around our political vanguard, no force in the world can defeat us,” he declared.
“Fidel is here with us, leading, dreaming, riding. We continue to build alongside him. I speak for those who carry Fidel in our hearts, blood, minds, and the windmills we still have to conquer,” he added.
The message, delivered in an unusual setting for the official narrative, aimed to project a generational continuity that strengthens the bond between a revolutionary past and a crumbling present. Despite internal devastation, the regime continues to lean on the rhetoric of external siege as its main explanation and justification.
Family Echoes: From Mariela Castro to Sandro Castro
Confrontational rhetoric is not unique to Fidel Castro Smirnov. Recently, Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl Castro and director of the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX), stated that “there is no room for negotiation with imperialism and all its facets.”
“Principles are not negotiable,” she declared in an interview with Resumen Latinoamericano, asserting that the United States' goal is to “dismantle the example that for 67 years we have resisted the empire.”
In contrast, Sandro Castro, known for his more pragmatic and cheeky demeanor, recently mentioned in one of his social media appearances that he now prefers "Cuba libre" over his signature "Cristach."
Understanding the Current Crisis in Cuba
What did Fidel Castro Smirnov admit regarding the situation in Cuba?
Fidel Castro Smirnov admitted that Cuba is facing a severe crisis, describing it as a period where "danger has never been more imminent," while blaming external forces for the country's challenges.
How does Castro Smirnov view the role of the United States in Cuba's struggles?
Castro Smirnov accuses the United States, specifically President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio, of exacerbating Cuba's situation through aggressive policies.
What solution does Castro Smirnov propose for Cuba's crisis?
He insists that the solution is ideological and collective, relying on intelligence, proper strategies, and unity around Cuba's political vanguard to overcome external pressures.