Once again, Miguel Díaz-Canel has invoked the memory of Fidel Castro as a lens to understand the world's current issues. He emphasized that many of the global challenges highlighted by the late Cuban leader remain unresolved to this day.
"Fidel Lives! To those who doubt, look at today's world through his legacy," Díaz-Canel declared on Thursday via his X account, marking what would have been Castro's 100th birthday. Born on August 13, 1926, Castro's speeches at the United Nations in 1960 and 1979, his remarks at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and his nearly 500 "Reflections" are still relevant, according to Díaz-Canel.
"Everything he denounced at the UN in 1960 and 1979, what he warned about in Rio in 1992, and what he penned in his 500 Reflections are still issues awaiting solutions," Díaz-Canel asserted.
Castro's Policies as a Model for Today's Challenges
In a follow-up message on X, Díaz-Canel reiterated Castro's policies as a template for addressing current global challenges, suggesting that their "continuity" might solve contemporary issues in Cuba and beyond.
"All he built through internationalism and solidarity remains proof that with determination and cooperation, a better world is possible. Let's make it happen now," he urged.
The comments come amid an extensive official campaign commemorating Castro's centennial. The government has officially designated 2026 as the "Year of the Centennial of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz," a proposal Díaz-Canel introduced to the National Assembly in December 2025.
Enduring Influence and Criticism
The exaltation of Fidel Castro's legacy has been a consistent theme throughout the year. Earlier in August, the Communist Party of Cuba declared that "Fidel is eternal," a statement met with critical and sarcastic responses from Cubans who juxtaposed this notion of "eternity" with the island's power outages, shortages, and economic decline.
The campaign has even permeated non-political spaces. In Holguín, for example, official organizations added 100 piñatas to centennial events, framing them as tributes aimed at children and young people.
Another illustration of Castro's glorification involves a regime supporter who recreated the "Commander in Chief" military insignia on a fingernail as a tribute to Castro's 100th year, showcasing the lengths to which this homage has extended.
This initiative is part of a broader program launched in 2025, designed to permeate "all aspects of the country's life" and disseminate Castro's ideas and philosophy. Throughout 2026, tributes have reached schools, universities, workplaces, sports, cultural events, and community spaces.
Understanding Fidel Castro's Legacy and Its Impact
Why does Díaz-Canel emphasize Fidel Castro's legacy?
Díaz-Canel emphasizes Fidel Castro's legacy to highlight the unresolved global issues that Castro addressed and to suggest that Castro's approaches could offer solutions to current challenges.
What events are part of the Castro centennial campaign?
The Castro centennial campaign includes tributes across various sectors such as schools, universities, workplaces, sports, cultural activities, and community events, as well as unique initiatives like the creation of themed piñatas and manicures.
How have Cubans reacted to the notion of Castro's "eternity"?
Many Cubans have responded critically and sarcastically to the notion of Castro's "eternity," contrasting it with the ongoing issues of power outages, shortages, and economic hardships on the island.