International Colloquium «Fidel in Chile» to Examine Historical and Intellectual Legacy of Cuban Leader and the Relevance of His Debates

Original article: «Fidel en Chile»: Coloquio Internacional abordará legado histórico e intelectual del líder cubano (y la vigencia de sus debates)

Marking the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birth, the International Colloquium «Fidel Castro in Chile» scheduled for September 2026 aims to create a critical reflection space on one of the most impactful political figures of the «short 20th century».

Organized by the Diploma in Critical Thinking at the University of Chile and CLACSO, in partnership with the Fidel Castro Ruz Center in Cuba and El Ciudadano in Chile, the colloquium invites discussions on one of the most influential political and intellectual personas in the contemporary history of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Global South.

Beyond the myriad interpretations and debates surrounding his trajectory, it is challenging to understand significant political processes in the 20th century without considering Fidel Castro’s role in discussions about sovereignty, national emancipation, regional integration, and internationalism.

Organizers state that «critical reflection on these historical experiences is a necessary task for social sciences and for the tradition of Latin American critical thought.»

«Far from being exclusively retrospective, the study of Fidel Castro’s trajectory and ideas allows us to revisit structural problems that have plagued the region for decades and continue to challenge our societies today,» they emphasized.

«Among these concerns are his early warnings about the global ecological crisis, his reflections on the effects of external debt on countries in the Global South, his critiques of the structural inequalities of the international order, and his questions regarding the social consequences of neoliberalism,» the event organizers recalled.

These concerns are now part of some of the most pertinent discussions regarding the future of Latin America and the potential for creating alternative pathways for development, integration, and social justice.

In this context, the colloquium seeks to establish itself as a platform for academic and intellectual dialogue that contributes to the exercise of critical thinking, understood as a tool for comprehending the historical transformations of our region, critically interrogating power structures, and debating the challenges faced by the Global South in the 21st century.

We will keep you informed.