Cuban Leader Claims Revolution Eradicated Poverty Amidst Deepening Crisis

Miguel Díaz-Canel has asserted that the Cuban revolution eradicated "all the poverty and troubles" on the island, claiming that Cubans today enjoy "more rights and possessions than at any other time in history."

These statements were part of an interview conducted by former Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias during his visit to Cuba. A segment of the interview was shared on the Spanish communist's X account on Monday, garnering over 142,000 views.

The full interview is set to air on Canal Red América Latina and was conducted as part of the international convoy "Nuestra América," which delivered over 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the island.

In the shared clip, Díaz-Canel also commented on the viral gesture by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez, who publicly requested and was given a real AKM rifle at a National Defense Day ceremony on March 20, in response to threats from President Donald Trump. Díaz-Canel labeled Silvio's gesture as "symbolic," portraying it as an expression of the Cuban people's will: "What Silvio represents is a symbol of the convictions of the majority of the Cuban people."

A Legacy of Revolution and the Current Reality

Díaz-Canel emphasized that Cuba seeks dialogue, not conflict: "We do not want war; we want dialogue," though he added that he and his family were ready to die for the revolution. He invoked "a history of over 150 years of revolution" to justify his stance, listing the evils the revolutionary process has supposedly eradicated: colonial humiliation, neocolonialism, U.S.-backed governments, and American corporate control over Cuban resources.

Despite these claims, the current situation for the Cuban population is dire. The island has experienced three months without diesel or fuel oil, resulting in blackouts lasting 20 to 30 hours daily, affecting 64% of the territory. The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts a 7.2% economic contraction by 2026, marking a cumulative 23% decline since 2019.

The Struggle Between Official Narrative and Historical Facts

In the interview, Díaz-Canel also disclosed that Cuba is implementing a "people's defense preparation plan," rooted in the "War of the Entire People" doctrine. He described it as a defensive strategy with popular participation: "Every Cuban knows their role, their mission in defense, and the majority of our people are prepared." In February, he oversaw military exercises at the entrance to Havana.

Pablo Iglesias's visit to Cuba sparked a wave of criticism from Cubans both on the island and abroad, highlighting the contradiction of downplaying Cuba's crisis after meeting with the Communist Party. A Cuban resident in Spain even challenged Iglesias to live in a Cuban household for a month.

Many observers labeled the interview as a propaganda exercise by the regime amid the island's worst humanitarian crisis in decades.

Díaz-Canel's declarations about the alleged total eradication of "poverty and troubles" in Cuba align with a political narrative that blends reality with significant distortions. Historical evidence and international data present a far more complex picture that contradicts the official story.

Before 1959, Cuba was not a devastated country lacking basic services, as the official discourse suggests. Instead, it ranked among the most advanced economies in Latin America by several key metrics. By the late 1950s, the island had one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the region, a life expectancy nearing 62 years (one of the highest), and per capita income levels placing it among the continent's leaders. Education and healthcare existed, albeit not universally or equitably.

While significant structural issues existed, with stark inequalities between urban and rural areas, many rural dwellers lived in precarious conditions, and the economy heavily relied on sugar and the U.S. market. Foreign capital, particularly from the U.S., had a significant presence in strategic sectors, creating jobs, investment, and tax revenues, though contributing to economic dependency.

After 1959, the new system greatly expanded social service coverage, particularly in education and healthcare, achieving near universality. However, these advancements did not emerge from a void, as propaganda suggests, but built upon an existing foundation.

The most significant contrast appears today. While the government insists on "more rights and guarantees," international organizations warn of a deep crisis: sustained economic contraction, shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and a general deterioration of living conditions. Relatively, Cuba has gone from being among the region's most dynamic economies to a lagging position, with a strong state dependence and severe material limitations.

In this context, the official narrative fails to withstand rigorous comparison. The revolution did not transform an undeveloped country into a prosperous one but replaced an unequal and dependent model with another that, despite achieving some social progress, has resulted in a prolonged structural crisis and restrictions on fundamental freedoms.