Cuba marks centenary of Fidel Castro's birth amid deepening economic crisis

Cuba is marking the 100th birthday of its former leader, Fidel Castro, at a time of profound economic hardship. The commemorations, which include cultural events and public displays of his image and slogans, occur against a backdrop of severe power outages, shortages of essential goods, and a deepening economic crisis attributed by some to U.S. sanctions and by others to the systemic issues of the Cuban model.

Supporters, like writer Miguel Barnet, view Castro as leaving a legacy of dignity and concern for the poor, with policies that benefited culture, education, and public health. However, historian Manuel Cuesta Morúa criticizes the sacrifice of freedoms under his rule, stating that the resulting political division continues to affect the country. Younger generations, such as Cristian Cohello, feel less immediate connection to Castro and express skepticism about the possibility of fixing the current crisis, even with a leader like him.

Castro, who governed Cuba for five decades from 1959 until 2008, remains an influential, albeit controversial, figure. His transformation of Cuba through agrarian reform and nationalization of businesses put the country at odds with the U.S., leading to decades of sanctions that have intensified under recent administrations. The current economic squeeze has resulted in widespread power outages, reduced industrial and tourism activity, and transportation restrictions.