Fidel Castro's Daughter Discusses the Root of Cuba's Economic Failures

In a candid interview with ABC News, Alina Fernández, daughter of Fidel Castro, offered a scathing critique of Cuba's economic model, labeling it a "failed experiment" driven by what she describes as "ideological madness." Fernández, a long-time critic of her father's regime, has spoken out against the system from her vantage point in exile for over three decades.

Fernández, who is also a producer and director, argues that the island's current economic struggles are not new but are the result of a flawed system from its inception. "This isn't something new. We've been living like this for many, many years," she emphasized.

The Impact of Ideological Obsession

According to Fernández, decades of prioritizing political confrontation over citizens' welfare have led to the country's ongoing hardships. "For decades, we've been living in misery due to an ideological obsession," she stated. She believes that the Cuban regime has lost its historical justification, especially its fight against the United States, and should focus on improving the lives of its people. "A leader should care for the needs of the people," she added.

A Legacy of Trauma

Fernández described the Cuban experience as a long-lasting collective trauma affecting multiple generations. "Cubans have been the subjects of a very strange social experiment," she remarked, noting the system's persistence for over sixty years. She argues that the power structure in Cuba severely restricts any real possibility of internal change, as fear and repression dominate the society.

"It's impossible to overthrow a regime like this simply by protesting," she asserted. "People are scared, they're oppressed. It's a very tough situation. People are suffering, and they've been suffering for years."

A Personal Story of Escape and Exile

Fernández's personal narrative adds weight to her statements. Raised in Havana, initially unaware that Castro was her father, her life was marked by a distant relationship with him. "He was a very late-night visitor to the house," she recalled about discovering her father's identity. Their relationship was never close, largely dictated by his busy schedule and sporadic appearances.

Her escape from Cuba in 1993 was a pivotal moment. Using a forged passport, Fernández fled the country, describing it as a desperate attempt to break free from the system. "I didn't have the courage to take to the sea on a raft with my daughter, but I did everything I could and managed to escape," she explained, referencing the dire conditions during the so-called Special Period.

Keeping Cuba in the Spotlight

After years away from the media, Fernández reappears in the documentary "Revolution’s Daughter," premiering at the Miami Film Festival. The film aims to keep international attention on the situation in Cuba. "We want to keep the topic of Cuba alive," she expressed. "We're waiting for something to happen… it's a very confusing, hopeful, and at the same time bitter situation. We've waited so long to see Cuba free."

Calls for Political Change

Fernández's statements align with other interviews where she has stressed the urgent need for political change in Cuba. "For me, the time for regime change came in the late '80s," she told The Epoch Times. "When Fidel Castro died, we all thought his regime had ended… but it survived."

From her perspective, one of the greatest tragedies of the Cuban regime is its division of families. "This madness has divided families in the most dramatic way," she pointed out.

Amid the ongoing crisis, Fernández believes that change from within remains unlikely in the short term due to the regime's control and repression. However, she emphasizes that international attention can play a crucial role. "It's good that at this moment the world is watching what has been happening in Cuba for years," she concluded.