Yes, I know that the flag have anti imperialist history that predates Batista's mafia state, but usually AES states would pick something much more overtly AES-sy instead of just settling with the old republican flag.
But by using the old flag, Cuba hilariously robbed the ability of gusanos to differentiate themselves from the existing revolutionary state. No dumbass "this is the real Cuban flag" meme because it's the same 🇨🇺 , no way for libs to include flag in their screen name because then they'll be supporting the Cuban revolution 🇨🇺, no way for alt history dork to make "world if neoliberalism win forever" without showing stalwart Cuba 🇨🇺.
:fidel-balling:
it's more that cuba right after the revolution wasn't necessarily as oriented away from the west and in a socialist direction as they are nowadays (they only became moreso once it was clear that the US would not accept a degree of freedom and sovereignty for the people of cuba). that's why the flag stayed the same old republican one