Fidel Castro centennial marked by global commemorations and political tributes

Global commemorations are underway to mark the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth. In Cuba, the First International Colloquium ‘Fidel: Legacy and Future’ drew over 1,500 delegates from 60 countries to Havana. The event, attended by President Miguel Díaz-Canel and featuring a rare public appearance by 95-year-old Raúl Castro, focused on Castro's revolutionary legacy and the ongoing economic challenges facing the island due to U.S. sanctions.

International solidarity events have been held across various regions. In Mexico, the Movimiento Antorchista organized cultural festivals in Puebla, Veracruz, and Zacatecas to honor Castro's resistance against imperialism. In Spain, residents in Láncara held a tribute at the home of Castro's father, while in Nicaragua, a statue in Managua serves as a reminder of the revolutionary link. Other tributes were noted in Brazil, Namibia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Italy.

While supporters celebrate Castro as a symbol of sovereignty and internationalism, critics have raised questions regarding the economic reality in Cuba. Some reports highlight the contrast between revolutionary rhetoric and the poverty experienced by the majority of the population, noting allegations of significant personal wealth held by the Castro family and military elites through state enterprises.