During the 22nd National Environment Award ceremony, held this Thursday at Havana's Meliá Cohíba Hotel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz hailed Fidel and Raúl Castro as pioneers in safeguarding Cuba's natural surroundings, stating that their "legacy remains relevant today."
The event, organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA) under the theme "Fidel in Memory: Legacy, Awareness, and Environmental Action," was part of the celebrations marking Fidel Castro's 100th birth anniversary. However, the ceremony took a political turn when Marrero used the platform to voice support for Raúl Castro, who was recently charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes, resulting in the deaths of four people.
In his remarks, Marrero recalled Fidel Castro's address at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where he famously urged using "all necessary science for sustainable development without pollution," highlighting that "those strong international denunciations he made... there in Rio, have gone down in history."
Marrero was equally laudatory of Raúl, noting that he was "not only a great successor but also a pioneer in environmental protection." As evidence of his ecological awareness, Marrero mentioned the ex-leader's directives to create pathways for reptiles across hotel roads and establish six camping sites in areas where coastal damage was occurring.
Environmental Challenges in Cuba
Despite these claims, Cuba's environmental situation tells a different story. In September 2025, CITMA Minister Armando Rodríguez Batista admitted that trash is "scattered all over Havana," a statement that starkly contrasts with the narrative of decades-long exemplary environmental protection.
By February 2026, the capital and other cities like Matanzas and Manzanillo were plagued by frequent landfill fires and open-air waste burning, releasing dioxins and furans into the atmosphere. The Almendares River receives thousands of cubic meters of waste daily. Since 2022, the Cuban government has identified 2,200 sources of water pollution nationwide: 776 industrial, 566 agricultural, and 818 urban.
The 2022 fire at the Matanzas Super Tanker Base released thousands of tons of pollutants, with reports of acid rain in the area. In Guantánamo, the Guaso River has long been a dumping ground, and in Moa, Holguín, air pollution from mining activities has posed health risks since 2011.
Ceremony Highlights and Controversy
None of this prevented Minister Rodríguez Batista from concluding his speech with the rallying cry, "Long live Cuban environmentalism! Long live Fidel and Raúl! Long live a free Cuba!" Meanwhile, CITMA's delegation from Villa Clara presented a commemorative plaque with the slogan "Science in Villa Clara is called Fidel."
Awards went to several recipients, including the Abel Santamaría International Airport in Villa Clara, M.Sc. Frank Huerta López—a professor with 24 years in environmental education in Matanzas, Dr. María del Carmen Velazco Gómez—CITMA delegate in Villa Clara with over 27 years of service, and Dr. Maritza García García, president of the Environmental Agency.
Marrero wrapped up his address with a personal message to the former leader: "The people of Cuba are and will always be with Raúl. We are eternally grateful for his work, his continuation of the commander's legacy, his personal example with his foot in the stirrup. We wish him much happiness on his upcoming birthday and a long life because we need him."
The 22nd National Environment Award primarily served to reaffirm the Castros' legacy and defend Raúl against U.S. criminal charges, highlighting the gap between the regime's official rhetoric and the harsh environmental realities faced by Cubans today.
Environmental Concerns and Political Implications in Cuba
What was the main focus of Marrero's speech at the National Environment Award ceremony?
Marrero's speech primarily focused on praising Fidel and Raúl Castro for their pioneering efforts in environmental protection and expressing political support for Raúl amidst charges from the United States.
What environmental issues is Cuba currently facing?
Cuba faces numerous environmental challenges, including widespread trash in Havana, frequent landfill fires, and significant water pollution from various industrial, agricultural, and urban sources.
How did Marrero describe Raúl Castro's environmental efforts?
Marrero described Raúl Castro as not only a great successor to Fidel but also a pioneer in environmental protection, citing his initiatives for wildlife conservation and coastal preservation.