The First National Secretary of the Union of Communist Youth (UJC), Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, recently visited neighborhoods in Las Tunas to encourage young people to participate in the campaign "La talla es hacer," as the organization approaches its 65th anniversary.
At a gathering with members of the Community Youth Network, Estévez urged both students and workers to get involved in initiatives aimed at transforming their communities. This campaign, launched on October 21, is part of the "Path to 25" process, which is designed to prepare for the UJC's anniversary celebration on April 4, 2027.
"We are calling for participation, contribution, and transformation. This is exactly what we witness here in Las Tunas, where young people from various sectors, including students and workers, are engaging to bring about change," Estévez stated, as reported by the digital portal Tiempo 21 of the provincial station Radio Victoria.
The slogan "La talla es hacer" is inspired by the Martian principle that "the best way to say is to do," aiming to mobilize youth in schools, workplaces, communities, and digital spaces.
During the event, Estévez also endorsed the Electro Joven project, a local initiative focused on addressing issues faced by vulnerable families. Several young individuals were also awarded membership cards, officially recognizing them as part of the organization.
The visit to Las Tunas highlights a province that, as of August, was among the slowest alongside Guantánamo in implementing the Community Youth Network, with Granma and Cienfuegos leading in results.
The network was introduced in April as a "megaproject" by the UJC. At that time, official data showed it was operational in 1,263 of the 1,410 popular councils throughout the country.
However, President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that youth participation remained insufficient and was largely concentrated among high school students.
Díaz-Canel's call to recruit young people for "higher purposes" comes amid significant generational disillusionment; the UJC lost more than 194,000 members between 2007 and 2024, dropping from 609,000 to 415,000 affiliates, marking a 32% decline attributed to mass emigration and ideological disenchantment.
Independent surveys conducted this year reveal that 97.61% of Cubans aged 18 to 30 disapprove of the government's performance, with 93% stating they would emigrate if possible.
Mass emigration and ideological disillusionment are key factors attributed to this decline. Researchers from the Center for Demographic Studies at the University of Havana estimate that nearly 50% of Cuban emigrants are under the age of 35.
Key Questions on Youth Engagement in Cuba
What is the goal of the "La talla es hacer" campaign?
The campaign aims to mobilize young Cubans to participate in community transformations, aligning with the Martian principle of "the best way to say is to do."
Why is there a decline in UJC membership?
The decline, over 32% from 2007 to 2024, is largely due to mass emigration and ideological disenchantment among young Cubans.
What is the Community Youth Network?
Introduced as a "megaproject" by the UJC, it aims to enhance youth engagement across Cuba's popular councils, though progress has been uneven.