On Mother's Day, Cuba's leader Miguel Díaz-Canel took to X to extend his well-wishes, featuring a message spotlighting an officer from the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and her child rather than a typical mother grappling with the daily hardships that plague Cuba.
The president introduced the subjects as "Loyda, a young officer in the Revolutionary Armed Forces," and "Frank, her reason for being," presenting them as representatives of all Cuban mothers. The official card, also signed by his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza, bore the emblem of the Presidency of the Republic.
Díaz-Canel's message read: "For Cuban mothers (and grandmothers), their offspring are the first and ultimate purpose of their lives. They are ready to fight to defend their world. But more than anything, they are ready to live."
This message parallels motherhood with defending the regime: "Living to defend them is defending Cuba. To all Cuban women who are mothers and grandmothers — even those who aren’t — and fight like lions for their offspring amidst harsh daily life, thank you for your dedication."
The Disconnect Between Official Messages and Reality
The choice of a military image as a symbol of Cuban motherhood starkly contrasts with the reality faced by countless families on the island. Just two days prior, a viral video depicted a Cuban mother recounting her routine of waking at 3 a.m. to cook when electricity is available, then heading to work without sleep.
Last Wednesday, a Cuban mother penned a letter to Díaz-Canel, questioning how to tell a seven-year-old child and an elderly person over 80 that there is no breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This disconnect is further highlighted as CIMEX promoted motorcycles for Mother’s Day with price tags ranging from $1,950 to $2,550 in a nation where the average monthly salary hovers around $13.
Controversial Messages in Context
This type of message has a history of sparking controversy. In 2021, Díaz-Canel faced backlash for using an image of light-skinned, blonde-haired women to represent Cuban mothers, accused of ignoring the nation's ethnic diversity. In 2024, Cubans criticized his Mother's Day greeting for the stark contrast between the official tone and the actual scarcity.
Díaz-Canel himself acknowledged in February that Cuba had reverted to conditions reminiscent of the Special Period in the 1990s, and on May 2, he admitted to delegates from 36 countries in Havana that the island went four months without receiving fuel. Power outages affect more than 55% of the national territory, with reports of individuals fainting from hunger in Santiago de Cuba.
In March, his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza acknowledged the severity of the situation, expressing to Cuban women: "Times are tough, but without you, they would be worse."
Understanding the Impact of Díaz-Canel's Messages
Why did Díaz-Canel's Mother's Day message face criticism?
The message was criticized for using a military officer as a symbol of motherhood, which contrasts with the daily struggles faced by ordinary Cuban mothers. It also highlighted the regime's focus on defense over addressing basic needs.
How does the current economic crisis in Cuba affect families?
The crisis leads to food shortages and power outages, forcing families to endure extreme conditions like cooking at odd hours and dealing with hunger, while the average income is insufficient for basic necessities.
What historical context is relevant to Cuba's current situation?
Cuba is experiencing conditions similar to the Special Period of the 1990s, characterized by severe economic hardship, which Díaz-Canel has publicly acknowledged.