Roberto Morales Ojeda, the Secretary of Organization for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, asserted on Wednesday that the government is "prepared to defend the nation."
His statement was shared on Facebook after he participated in a commemoration for the 67th anniversary of Camilo Cienfuegos's disappearance. This comes on the heels of the United Nations' annual resolution against the U.S. embargo barely securing 130 favorable votes, marking its weakest support since Cuba first proposed it in 1992.
The Political Bureau member posted images from the official event at Havana's Malecón alongside Miguel Díaz-Canel, Manuel Marrero, José Ramón Machado Ventura, and representatives of the capital's citizens. This event included the traditional flower-throwing ceremony into the sea on October 28, symbolizing the absent grave of the revolutionary guerrilla.
In his post, Morales Ojeda quoted the final verses of "Mi bandera," a poem by Bonifacio Byrne written in 1899. Camilo Cienfuegos recited these lines during his final public address on October 26, 1959, in front of Havana's former Presidential Palace, just two days before his disappearance.
"If my flag is ever torn into pieces...our fallen, raising their arms, will still know how to defend it!" Morales Ojeda stated, adding, "This is not just a memorized quote, but a genuine commitment: we are ready to defend the homeland with the same resolve he loved it with."
Back in July, Morales Ojeda described the repression of the July 11 protests as a "popular victory" using the hashtag #LaPatriaSeDefiende. Just five days before Cienfuegos's commemoration, he posted on X that no policy towards Cuba should be influenced by "electoral pressures, blackmail," or short-term political calculations.
Morales Ojeda's remarks come at a time when the Cuban government once again emphasizes defending the nation, even as millions of citizens grapple with power outages, food shortages, and a significant loss in purchasing power.
The disparity is glaring: the leadership speaks of resilience and national defense, while for many Cubans, the real struggle is finding food, electricity, and basic living conditions.
Understanding the Current Situation in Cuba
What prompted Morales Ojeda's statement on defending the nation?
Morales Ojeda's statement was made following a ceremony commemorating the 67th anniversary of Camilo Cienfuegos's disappearance and was also influenced by the recent U.N. resolution against the U.S. embargo, which received limited support.
Why is there a focus on defending the nation now?
The focus on defending the nation comes amidst ongoing economic hardships in Cuba, including power outages and food shortages, prompting the government to rally its citizens around national resilience.
How have Morales Ojeda's past statements been controversial?
In July, Morales Ojeda described the suppression of the July 11 protests as a "popular victory," which drew criticism. His recent comments continue to emphasize national defense amid widespread economic struggles.