Official Cuban Propaganda Reaches New Heights: Fidel Described as a "Quantum Privilege"

On Wednesday, the official website of the Cuban Presidency marked the centennial of Fidel Castro's birth with an article that ventures into the extraordinary terrain of revolutionary rhetoric. Authored by journalist Alina Perera Robbio, the piece claims the late dictator's presence among Cubans is nothing short of a "quantum privilege," a testament to unique intelligence and sensitivity that shines even in the darkest of nights.

A Tribute to Fidel in a Year of Propaganda

Published under the title "The Best Tribute to Fidel: Living with Dignity," this article is part of a broader propaganda campaign orchestrated by the regime throughout 2026, a year officially declared as "The Year of the Centennial of the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz" following a proposal by Miguel Díaz-Canel to the National Assembly in December 2025.

Metaphorical Acknowledgments Amidst Hardship

Perera Robbio's text inadvertently acknowledges the dire situation in Cuba through lyrical metaphors, referencing "the night almost always in the heat" and "the terrible blackout." However, she quickly attributes these blackouts to "imperial laboratories," arguing their purpose is to dehumanize and ultimately break the Cuban spirit.

The Stark Reality of Cuba's Energy Crisis

In stark contrast to this narrative, Cuba's electrical grid faces severe challenges. On Friday, the country anticipated an energy demand of 3,300 MW against an available generation capacity of only 1,160 MW during peak hours, resulting in a projected deficit of 2,140 MW. This would affect 2,170 MW during that period, according to the Electric Union. Throughout 2026, the National Electric System has experienced several total collapses, with provinces like Matanzas suffering outages lasting over 80 consecutive hours. In Havana, blackouts average between 15 and 24 hours daily.

Propaganda's Epic Spin on Misery

Yet, the official narrative dismisses this as misery; instead, it is portrayed as epic. Perera Robbio depicts the struggle as a tribute to Castro, describing "defiant women with arms akimbo, standing by the fire and boiling pot," and elevating the moment "when children shout that the lights are back" to a revolutionary feat. Cooking with wood and celebrating the return of electricity are cast as acts of epic resistance, akin to "a Homeric poem that could be called the Indomitable Island."

Celebrations and International Engagements

The regime organized an international colloquium for the centennial, attracting over 1,500 delegates from 63 countries, more than 1,000 of whom were foreign. Events included bicitaxi parades in Santiago de Cuba, 100 piñatas for children in Holguín, blood donations, and the publication of 23 volumes of Castro's Selected Works. The official program extends until December 4.

Social Media's Sarcastic Response

Cubans on social media responded to the article with sarcasm, the one weapon they have left. One user questioned whether electricity was restored for the birthday celebration. Another succinctly summarized Castro's legacy: "A true liberator... freed Cuba from food, electricity, development, and freedom." A third highlighted a glaring contradiction in the text with a straightforward comment: "The night isn't dark, it's OUT."

Another netizen, more concise, captured the sentiment of those reading about Fidel "shining in the darkest night" while enduring months without power: "Quantum, you say? Oh, please."