Ahead of the June 3 milestone, Cuba’s National Bureau of the Young Communists League (UJC) has launched a nationwide call to action inviting Cubans from all walks of life to join in a collective celebration honoring Army General Raúl Castro Ruz on his 95th birthday. The initiative, officially named “Raúl’s 95th Birthday,” was first announced via the organization’s official Facebook page, framing the event as a grassroots tribute to a leader whose life and career have been inextricably tied to Cuba’s national journey.
In the official statement, UJC organizers highlighted the core values that have defined Raúl’s decades of public service: unwavering loyalty to the Cuban people and the revolutionary project, a consistent commitment to social justice, and a lifelong advocacy for peace. The tribute specifically points to Raúl’s leadership through the process of updating Cuba’s economic model, a period of reform during which he never compromised on the country’s foundational commitments to equitable access to social services. It also notes his open, unashamed mourning of the passing of his lifelong partner Vilma Espín, framing this public display of grief as a reflection of his deeply rooted human compassion that has resonated across generations.
The statement contextualizes the 2026 birthday celebration against the backdrop of the centenary of Raúl’s brother in struggle, Fidel Castro. UJC emphasizes that revolutionary greatness is not passed down through inheritance, but cultivated through daily example — a standard that Raúl has embodied through decades of hardship, fatigue, and unbroken resolve. Described as a steadfast patriot, Raúl has taught successive generations to defend Cuba’s revolutionary gains through both tenderness and resolve, intellectual preparation and strategic courage, dignity in international affairs, and solidarity with the Cuban people.
In line with the grassroots spirit of the celebration, the UJC is actively encouraging creative expression from children, adolescents, and young adults across the country. The call invites people from every sector of society — from local neighborhood associations to primary schools, from university campuses to frontline communities — to share messages, poems, songs, and personal stories that honor Raúl’s legacy. The goal is to amplify these tributes across the nation, turning the day into a collective demonstration of gratitude and respect.
“May June 3rd find us guided by Fidel’s memory and encouraged by Raúl’s presence; because the new generations are not here to repeat slogans, we are here to demonstrate that loyalty is action,” the statement reads. The UJC frames this action as three interconnected commitments: defending the progress Cuba has built over decades, transforming systems and structures that are not working as intended, and expanding the public affection for a leader who remains actively engaged in the country’s future, even at 95. The statement closes with a rallying cry echoing Raúl’s iconic resolve: “Come on, Cuba! May this 95th be a huge embrace for a dear friend and a leader beyond reproach. Raúl is Raúl!”