On Monday, Miguel Díaz-Canel took to his X account to address participants at the International Solidarity with Cuba Meeting, vowing that the island will remain "a beacon of hope in the Caribbean" for those aspiring to "a better world."
His remarks come against a backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States and as Cuba experiences its most severe economic crisis in decades, with growing public dissatisfaction.
The statement followed the International Solidarity with Cuba and Anti-Imperialism "100 Years with Fidel" event, held on May 2nd and 3rd at Havana's Convention Palace, featuring 766 delegates from 152 organizations across 36 countries.
"When you offer us so much solidarity, you also place upon us a great responsibility, as we know we cannot let you down," Díaz-Canel wrote. "We won't fail you because failing you would mean failing the hope of all the humble people on this planet."
Rhetoric of Resistance vs. Cuba's Stark Reality
In his speech to the delegates, the leader also warned that "no one should expect Cuba to surrender" and likened U.S. sanctions to the policies enforced against Palestine and Iran, stating that "those who rise with Cuba now rise for all time."
Cuba remains a deeply impoverished nation. The regime prioritized hotel investments while neglecting the energy sector. Their mismanagement has plunged Cubans into despair.
Power outages plague 63% of Cubans with cuts lasting over 24 hours, due to a significant generation deficit, exacerbated by the loss of Venezuelan oil supplies after Nicolás Maduro's capture in January 2026.
The GDP has plummeted by 23% since 2019, with the average salary amounting to just $15 a month. Meanwhile, 96,000 people — including 11,000 children — await pending surgeries, and 80% of Cubans consider this crisis worse than the Special Period of the 1990s.
The stark contrast between official discourse and everyday life has not gone unnoticed on social media. Cuban users harshly criticized Díaz-Canel's call with comments such as "Don't speak for the people, they didn't choose you" and "They took everything from us, even our fear."
Díaz-Canel's May Day Parade Controversy
Another image that went viral recently was Díaz-Canel marching on May Day wearing Adidas sneakers valued at $1,449, symbolizing the chasm between leadership and a population surviving on meager wages.
The event also marked the reappearance of 94-year-old Raúl Castro, looking visibly frail after a five-month public absence since December 2, 2025, missing the 9th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in March.
In this same setting, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denied to international delegates that Cuba is an "ineffective" or failed state, while the UN warns that $94 million is needed to aid two million people across 63 municipalities in eight provinces, with a $60 million shortfall yet to be addressed.
External pressure remains unrelenting. On May 1, President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding sanctions against Cuba in energy, finance, mining, defense, and security sectors, introducing for the first time the threat of secondary sanctions against foreign companies operating with the island.
Díaz-Canel interpreted Trump's words as Washington's reaction to the parade, asserting that "May Day upset them."
Since 2022, over 600,000 Cubans have emigrated, a statistic that speaks more eloquently than any official speech about the true sentiment of those whom the regime claims are committed to defending hope from within the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Current Situation
What is causing the economic crisis in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba is primarily due to the regime's mismanagement, including prioritizing hotel investments over the energy sector, leading to widespread power outages and a lack of necessary resources.
How are U.S. sanctions impacting Cuba?
U.S. sanctions have intensified the economic struggles in Cuba by targeting vital sectors like energy, finance, and mining, further isolating the island from international business opportunities.
Why did over 600,000 Cubans emigrate since 2022?
The mass emigration of Cubans since 2022 is largely attributed to the dire economic conditions and lack of freedoms, prompting many to seek better opportunities abroad.