Continuism and crisis, both mount, mount both in the Cuban revolution after 65 years in power. Miguel Díaz-Canel assumed his second five-year term at the head of the country on Wednesday, according to the design of the architecture of power imposed by his political godfather, Raúl Castro, for his succession.
The 462 deputies present expressed their obedience in the ballot boxes installed in the Havana Convention Center and unanimously gave their approval to the presidential candidacy, despite the fact that his popularity is low. Of course, all of them were ordered to read the biography of the president (“he stands out for his daily work and for his closeness to the masses”) for a few minutes before voting. As if they didn’t know.
Everything under control and with Castro, 91 years old, “historical leader” and “General of the Army”, at the head of the operations. A very similar thing happened with the renewal of the vice president, Salvador Valdés; the legislative president, Esteban Lazo, and the vice president, Ana María Mari Machado, who will once again lead the National Assembly of People’s Power. For the Council of State, 10 of the 22 holders were renewed, all of them faithful followers of the official doctrine.
“Today the future of our country is being defined, a sample of our democracy,” congratulated one of the stars of the session, the rookie deputy Elián González, the famous little rafter, with whom everyone wanted to take selfies. Little remains of that boy with innocent eyes, who since his return to the country was “adopted” by Fidel Castro until he became another piece of his political puzzle.
The paraphernalia and pageantry, so classic in revolution, were intended to hide that the island is trapped in a black hole of history. “Five tremendous years in which Cuba did not stop,” harangued the official propaganda to summarize the first term of Canel, as the president is called on the streets.
But this is something that only happens in the second political dimension of power, because Cubans meanwhile seek solutions for their lives. Cuba is suffering the biggest migration crisis in its history since the repression of July 11, 2021 multiplied the number of political prisoners, currently 1,066, according to statistics from Prisoners Defenders. Around half a million Cubans have fled the country, out of a population of 11 million, experts say.
“Why did they bother to meet? They ratify the mediocre, inept and repressive Díaz-Canel as president. And they ratify Salvador Valdés Mesa as zero to the left,” playwright Yunior García Aguilera ironized.
The renewal of the mandate of the disciple of Raúl Castro until 2028 occurs in the midst of a voracious energy crisis, which for three weeks has collapsed the island’s gas stations with immense queues of citizens. The new rationing came into effect last Tuesday, with limitations per vehicle on both gasoline and diesel. The president himself confessed that he was not “very clear” how they are going to get out of trouble, although he pointed out to his allies for not complying with their fuel shipments.
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