The National Bureau of the Union of Young Communists of Cuba (UJC) has issued an official call for "children, teenagers, and young people of Cuba" to celebrate the 95th birthday of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, scheduled for June 3.
This appeal, endorsed by the Communist Party of Cuba's (PCC) youth wing, encourages pioneers, students, and workers to express their "affection" for the former dictator through short videos, poems, songs, and personal stories, using the hashtags #95DeRaúl and #RaúlEsRaúl.
More than just symbolic gestures, the call to action urges children and teenagers to articulate "what Raúl means in our everyday lives," striving to cultivate an emotional and political identification with the ex-leader.
The language of the message interweaves affectionate terms with military rhetoric and ideological loyalty. A central phrase describes Raúl Castro as "the steadfast patriot who teaches us to defend the Revolution, with tenderness and with a rifle, with study and intelligence."
Mobilizing Society Through Ideological Continuity
The narrative frames the former ruler as a moral and political exemplar for the younger generation, blending emotional references with themes of discipline, sacrifice, and revolutionary defense.
The UJC's message calls for societal mobilization: "Let's add love and respect from the neighborhood to the school, from the university to the trench."
The organization also emphasizes the portrayal of Fidel and Raúl Castro as a seamless ideological lineage to be passed down through generations. "Greatness is not inherited, it is sown by example," the text asserts, urging young people to prove that "loyalty is action."
Propaganda Amidst Political Controversy
This campaign emerges even as the regime continues its extensive propaganda efforts surrounding Fidel Castro's centenary, set for August 13, 2026.
Since mid-2025, the UJC and the José Martí Pioneers Organization (OPJM) have spearheaded a series of mobilizations, utilizing the youth in events like the "Anti-Imperialist Youth Parade Here, with Fidel" on April 2 in Havana. During the parade, children rode bikes, skates, and scooters, chanting slogans such as "TumbaElBloqueo" and "Antorcha Centenaria Antiimperialista."
The UJC explicitly presents both figures as a continuous ideological force: "In the centenary of Fidel, his brother in spirit and struggle, we understand that greatness is not inherited, it is cultivated by example."
The regime is also preparing nine volumes of Raúl Castro's Selected Works, comprising over 500 texts and more than 5,000 pages to coincide with his 95th birthday.
The timing of this announcement highlights a stark political contrast: it coincides with the day Cuban-American lawmakers demand that the U.S. formally charge Raúl Castro for his role in the February 24, 1996, downing of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft, resulting in the deaths of four Cuban-Americans whose bodies were never recovered.
An audio recording from June 1996 features Raúl Castro himself ordering: "Well, shoot them down over the sea when they appear."
While the U.S. justice system identifies him as responsible for this crime, the regime's propaganda machine portrays him to Cuban children as "a dear friend and a leader beyond reproach."
Key Questions About Raúl Castro's Birthday Campaign
What is the purpose of the UJC's call to celebrate Raúl Castro's birthday?
The UJC aims to foster an emotional and political connection between the Cuban youth and Raúl Castro through creative expressions, aligning them with the values of the Revolution.
How does the campaign portray Raúl Castro to the younger generation?
The campaign depicts Raúl Castro as a steadfast patriot and moral exemplar, combining emotional appeals with notions of discipline and revolutionary defense.
What political contrast does the timing of the campaign highlight?
The campaign's timing coincides with calls from Cuban-American lawmakers for the U.S. to charge Raúl Castro over his role in the 1996 downing of civilian aircraft, highlighting a stark contrast between international legal actions and domestic propaganda.