Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, on his Twitter account, sent them “a warm embrace,” noting that in the face of the nation’s difficult times, “their enthusiasm inspires and commits us. You are the present and the future of the Homeland.”

  Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez echoed this greetings, highlighting them as the future of Cuba, the Revolution, and Socialism, while also sending them “a warm embrace” for their activism, commitment, and leadership in the key tasks of Cuban youth.

  The Foreign Ministry also hailed them as “symbols of the commitment, continuity, and transformative power of our new generations.”

  The day before, President Miguel Diaz-Canel, on the same social media platform, reminisced about his years as a youth leader while presiding over activities where new generations of Cubans took to the streets and plazas in a novel Anti-Imperialist Youth Parade, “Here, with #Fidel.”

  “Congratulations to all Cubans of all ages celebrating April 4th,” the head of state emphasized.

  On April 4, 1961, the Union of Rebel Pioneers was founded, later becoming the Union of Pioneers of Cuba, and during the Third Congress of the Young Communist League (UJC) in 1977, it became the current José Martí Pioneer Organization (OPJM).

  On the same date, but in 1962, the UJC (Union of Young Communists) was founded, following a proposal by the historical leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, during the closing of the First Congress of what was then the Association of Young Rebels.

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