On Sunday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla took to his X account to resurface a statement made by Raúl Castro over two years ago. This move was intended to once again champion the so-called "Revolution" as a source of dignity, sovereignty, and political legitimacy in Cuba.
The statement, attributed to "RAÚL," declares, "The Revolution dignified Cuba and its people. The very notion of power gained a new dimension when politics ceased to be the domain of an elite and the entire population became the protagonist of their own destiny."
Continuing with the familiar rhetoric of the Cuban dictatorship, Raúl Castro also referenced his brother, Fidel Castro, asserting, "That is why we must defend and advance this Revolution of the humble, by the humble, and for the humble."
These words are not from a recent speech. Raúl Castro originally delivered them on January 1, 2024, at Céspedes Park in Santiago de Cuba during the 65th anniversary celebration of the Revolution's triumph. In his post, the foreign minister did not specify the original date or context of the quote.
The Legacy of Raúl's Speech
In that speech, Raúl Castro defended what he called the "social achievements" of the system, portraying the Revolution as the foundation of Cuba's independence and social justice. He blamed U.S. policies as the primary cause of the nation's economic hardships.
He further emphasized the importance of unity around the Communist Party, urging Cubans to face challenges through determination and hard work.
Recycling Revolutionary Narratives
Over two years later, Rodríguez Parrilla has brought back a passage that encapsulates the Cuban regime's long-standing narrative: equating the Revolution with the people, national sovereignty, social justice, and the nation itself.
This narrative has been used to portray public education, healthcare, and various social, sports, and cultural policies as "Revolutionary achievements," while external factors have traditionally been blamed for any shortcomings.
The Revolution as a Political Instrument
The "Revolution" is not just a reference to the events leading to Fulgencio Batista's overthrow in 1959. It is a political concept used by the regime to legitimize the system that emerged from that process, claiming historical continuity six decades later.
This concept is even embedded in the constitutional framework. The preamble to the 2019 Constitution honors those who led the "people's revolutionary victory of January 1959," states the decision to "advance the Revolution," and explicitly identifies with the "concept of Revolution" formulated by Fidel Castro.
Article 4 of the Constitution declares the socialist system "irrevocable," while Article 5 designates the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) as the "superior political force of society and the state."
A Contradictory Reality
For decades, the term "counter-revolutionary" has been used by authorities to label opponents, dissidents, and system critics, turning support or rejection of the "Revolution" into a political boundary that goes beyond historical discourse.
Today, this discourse contrasts sharply with a society beset by poverty, power outages, deteriorating public services, medicine and food shortages, and an exodus that has separated hundreds of thousands of Cuban families.
It also stands in stark contrast to the power structure. Although Raúl Castro, now 95, stepped down from the presidency in 2018 and the first secretary position of the PCC in 2021, he is still officially regarded as the "leader of the Revolution."
Meanwhile, his grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," has gained prominence as the regime's liaison with Washington, despite not holding an official government position.
In July, an official from the PCC's Central Committee's Ideological Department publicly confirmed that Rodríguez Castro plays this role by the decision of the "country's top leadership."
This paradox becomes especially visible when considering Rodríguez Parrilla's recently revived statement: while the official discourse claims that politics are no longer the "domain of an elite" and that the people are the "protagonists of their destiny," members of the family that has ruled Cuba for decades continue to hold significant roles within both formal and informal power structures.
Rodríguez Parrilla's publication highlights how the so-called "Revolution" remains a wellspring of political legitimacy for the regime. Instead of proposing a novel idea from the general who once promised "a glass of milk" to every Cuban, Rodríguez Parrilla in 2026 resurrected a 2024 speech that, in turn, reiterated concepts used for decades to equate the system's continuity with the defense of Cuba, its sovereignty, and its people.
Understanding the Cuban Regime's Narrative
What is the significance of the "Revolution" in Cuba?
In Cuba, the "Revolution" is more than just a historical event; it is a political concept used to legitimize the current regime. It is portrayed as the source of national sovereignty, social justice, and dignity, while the government attributes any failures to external factors.
How does the Cuban government use the term "counter-revolutionary"?
The Cuban government uses the term "counter-revolutionary" to label and discredit opponents, dissidents, and critics of the system. This classification serves to create a political divide, framing support for the Revolution as a measure of loyalty to the nation.