Cuba Celebrates Castro's 100th Birthday Amid Crisis

Cuba marked the 100th birthday of Fidel Castro with events attended by over 1,500 activists and representatives from solidarity organizations across more than 60 countries. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel opened an international conference dedicated to Castro's legacy, emphasizing the importance of remembering him as a historical figure.

The anniversary occurs amid escalating tensions between Havana and Washington, particularly following the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump imposing an oil embargo and tightening sanctions on Cuba, which Havana claims are crippling its economy. The country faces severe power outages exceeding 20 hours daily, disrupting essential services.

In response to the crisis, the Cuban government approved 176 measures in June aimed at opening the socialist economy to private and foreign investment, marking a significant shift towards free-market capitalism. Some changes are already evident, particularly in the energy sector, where U.S. fuel exports to private Cuban businesses have increased.

Nostalgia for Castro's leadership persists among some residents, as noted by Benito Cisneros, while historian Fabio Fernandez critiques the current government's failure to uphold Castro's legacy.