Roberto Morales Ojeda, the Organizational Secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), took to his X account this Monday to share a quote from Raúl Castro. The quote, which boasts about the Party's supposed influence over the Cuban populace, was coupled with the propagandistic hashtag #RaúlEsRaúl.
The quote in question originates from the Central Report to the VI Congress of the PCC, presented by Castro on April 16, 2011. It states: "The power of the Party rests directly on its moral authority; on the influence it exerts over the masses; on the clarity with which it expresses their interests and aspirations; on the consciousness it instills in them of their revolutionary, economic, and social duties."
This statement, resurfaced by Morales Ojeda, starkly contrasts with the current Cuban society, which is increasingly disconnected from the official rhetoric and the political structures that have claimed to represent it for decades. Amidst a profound economic and social crisis, characterized by food shortages, prolonged blackouts, inflation, and mass emigration, the Communist Party continues to assert a moral authority and influence over the population that seems ever more dubious.
Propaganda vs. Reality
While the leadership clings to the legacy of Fidel and Raúl Castro and the alleged connection of the masses to the revolutionary project, social discontent, public protests, and a waning trust in institutions challenge this narrative.
The post by Morales Ojeda is part of a coordinated propaganda strategy by the state apparatus, with several officials recently deploying the same hashtag.
Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla used the same tag to share another Castro quote about overcoming difficulties "through combat," hinting at a digitally coordinated offensive by the regime's upper echelons.
Cuban Crisis Deepens
This campaign is starkly at odds with the island's harsh realities: The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) forecasts a contraction of Cuba's GDP by up to 10.3% by 2026, and the Cuban Observatory of Conflicts recorded 663 protests, complaints, and critical expressions in September alone that year.
Adding to this are reports from Cubalex, which counted 766 protests in the first half of 2026 and over 410 arbitrary detentions during that period.
Morales Ojeda's social media posts have repeatedly drawn critical responses from Cuban citizens who question the credibility of the official discourse. In early October, after he claimed that popular participation is "the strongest pillar" of national unity, social media users retorted with comments like "no one believes in you anymore."
In June, as the island was gripped by blackouts and protests marked by clanging pots and burning tires, the same official declared that "Cuba rises."
Questions Surrounding the Cuban Communist Party's Influence
What is the significance of Raúl Castro's quote shared by Morales Ojeda?
The quote emphasizes the supposed moral authority and influence of the Cuban Communist Party over the masses, highlighting its role in expressing and instilling revolutionary duties among the population.
How does the reality in Cuba contrast with the Party's claims of influence?
Cuba faces a severe economic and social crisis with food shortages, blackouts, and inflation, which undermines the Party's claims of maintaining moral authority and influence over the population.
How have Cuban citizens responded to Morales Ojeda's posts on social media?
Many Cuban citizens have criticized and questioned the credibility of the official discourse, expressing skepticism and disbelief in the Party's claims of unity and influence.