Raúl Castro's Notable Appearance

Raúl Castro, the 95-year-old former president and Fidel's brother, made a rare public appearance at the event, receiving a warm ovation as he entered the theater in his traditional olive-green uniform . His appearance was especially notable because he had been absent from the July 26 commemoration of the Moncada Barracks assault — the first time in at least 30 years he missed that event, fueling speculation about his health . He also appeared publicly for the first time since being indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors in May 2026 on charges related to murder and narco-terrorism .

The Economic Crisis Contrast

The celebration unfolded against the backdrop of Cuba's worst economic and political crisis in decades . In January 2026, the Trump administration imposed a fuel blockade threatening tariffs on any country exporting petroleum to Cuba, cutting off Venezuelan shipments . Additional sanctions were announced on July 23, 2026, widening restrictions on key sectors of the Cuban economy .

The fuel blockade caused near-daily power outages lasting up to 20 hours, forcing Cubans to plan their lives around when lights might return . Medicine shortages worsened, food rotted in refrigerators without power, and the healthcare system came under severe strain, with deputy health officials warning that unstable power directly threatens patient survival . Cuba's already inefficient state-run economy descended into a full-blown crisis, with millions facing severe hardship .

Amid the crisis, the Cuban government pursued limited market-oriented reforms and opened talks with the U.S. government, though Díaz-Canel attributes the deterioration solely to external factors . UN rights experts condemned the new U.S. sanctions, warning they are pushing Cuba into a "full-blown crisis" and urging international action .

Mixed Sentiments — Citizens and Díaz-Canel

President Díaz-Canel acknowledged Cuba is going through "one of the most difficult moments in decades" but attributed it entirely to U.S. pressure, pledging to defend "social justice" and insisting "Cuba does not give up" .

Some citizens expressed longing for Fidel. Argelia Mustelier, a 61-year-old retiree in Old Havana, said: "Fidel left us everything, everything good that came from Cuba's revolutionary process. In these difficult times... he would have found a way to bring some happiness to his country" .

But younger generations saw Fidel as the architect of the system that led to the current crisis. One young Cuban told AP: "Our generation didn't experience the triumphs of the revolution. We only experience its failures" . When the Communist Party declared "Fidel is eternal," social media erupted with sarcasm and indignation, with users linking Castro's "eternity" to power outages, water shortages, garbage piles, and widespread misery .

Raúl Castro's Notable Appearance

Raúl Castro, the 95-year-old former president and Fidel's brother, made a rare public appearance at the event, receiving a warm ovation as he entered the theater in his traditional olive-green uniform . His appearance was especially notable because he had been absent from the July 26 commemoration of the Moncada Barracks assault — the first time in at least 30 years he missed that event, fueling speculation about his health . He also appeared publicly for the first time since being indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors in May 2026 on charges related to murder and narco-terrorism .

The Economic Crisis Contrast

The celebration unfolded against the backdrop of Cuba's worst economic and political crisis in decades . In January 2026, the Trump administration imposed a fuel blockade threatening tariffs on any country exporting petroleum to Cuba, cutting off Venezuelan shipments . Additional sanctions were announced on July 23, 2026, widening restrictions on key sectors of the Cuban economy .

The fuel blockade caused near-daily power outages lasting up to 20 hours, forcing Cubans to plan their lives around when lights might return . Medicine shortages worsened, food rotted in refrigerators without power, and the healthcare system came under severe strain, with deputy health officials warning that unstable power directly threatens patient survival . Cuba's already inefficient state-run economy descended into a full-blown crisis, with millions facing severe hardship .

Amid the crisis, the Cuban government pursued limited market-oriented reforms and opened talks with the U.S. government, though Díaz-Canel attributes the deterioration solely to external factors . UN rights experts condemned the new U.S. sanctions, warning they are pushing Cuba into a "full-blown crisis" and urging international action .

Mixed Sentiments — Citizens and Díaz-Canel

President Díaz-Canel acknowledged Cuba is going through "one of the most difficult moments in decades" but attributed it entirely to U.S. pressure, pledging to defend "social justice" and insisting "Cuba does not give up" .

Some citizens expressed longing for Fidel. Argelia Mustelier, a 61-year-old retiree in Old Havana, said: "Fidel left us everything, everything good that came from Cuba's revolutionary process. In these difficult times... he would have found a way to bring some happiness to his country" .

But younger generations saw Fidel as the architect of the system that led to the current crisis. One young Cuban told AP: "Our generation didn't experience the triumphs of the revolution. We only experience its failures" . When the Communist Party declared "Fidel is eternal," social media erupted with sarcasm and indignation, with users linking Castro's "eternity" to power outages, water shortages, garbage piles, and widespread misery .