Protests in Cuba and Spain: State media justifies repressors in one case and protesters in the other

In recent days, the official press of the Cuban regime has published articles that reveal a contradiction in their approach to protests occurring globally and social demonstrations on the Island.

A clear example of this can be found in the official media outlet Cubadebate, which expressed understanding toward the protesters who, in Valencia, Spain, demanded the resignation of the regional president over the management of the devastating floods caused by the DANA. In another article, it justified the repression against those protesting the blackouts in Cuba.

The solidarity of Cubadebate with those affected in Valencia by the atmospheric phenomenon contrasts with the stance of the medium led by the spokesperson of the Cuban regime, Randy Alonso Falcón, which aligns with the arguments of the Attorney General to arrest and prosecute Cuban protesters demonstrating against the government’s handling of the energy crisis.

An article from Cubadebate about the protests in Valencia described how 130,000 people took to the streets to express their "anger" against the Valencian government for its inadequate response following the DANA, which resulted in 222 fatalities and thousands affected.

The demonstration, called by 65 organizations and supported by another 83, took place peacefully, with the exception of a few minor incidents, such as throwing mud and paint at government buildings.

In its coverage, Cubadebate appears to support the protesters' demands, highlighting the chants of "Mazón resign" and "the people united will never be defeated," while voicing criticisms against the Generalitat for its lack of timely and effective response during the emergency.

In contrast, a second article published by that state media took an opposing stance toward the protesters in Cuba, where authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against individuals in Havana, Mayabeque, and Ciego de Ávila for participating in acts of protest.

According to the Attorney General's Office of the Republic, whose statement was reproduced by the aforementioned media, provisional detention measures have been imposed on the accused for "assault, public disorder, and damage."

The Cubadebate article argued that these acts of disobedience disrupt “public tranquility” and justified the actions of the Cuban authorities by citing the need for “order, discipline, and respect for the authorities.”

The statement from the Prosecutor's Office also praised the attitude of those "dedicated to the tasks of the country's recovery," contrasting it with the alleged irresponsibility of the protesters.

The disparity between both positions highlights the double standard of the Cuban regime. While it supports the demands for justice from Spanish protesters calling for accountability from their authorities, it vehemently condemns the protests of its own citizens, denying them the right to express themselves and criticize government performance.

The Cuban regime's Prosecutor's Office, whose statements were adopted by Cubadebate, did not mention the issues that drove the protests in the country—primarily, prolonged blackouts and a shortage of resources—but instead portrayed the demonstrators as a threat to order and security.

Additionally, the language used, referring to the "respect for socialist legality," reinforced the narrative that any dissent or criticism in Cuba is unacceptable and must be sanctioned.

This contrast becomes even more evident when examining the similarities between both protests. In both Valencia and Cuba, the demonstrations emerge in a context of crisis, albeit in different settings.

In Spain, the protests were a response to the inadequate management of a natural disaster; in Cuba, citizens have taken to the streets amid an energy crisis and an economic situation that impacts every aspect of daily life.

However, while the Cuban regime views the protest in Valencia as a legitimate expression of civic frustration, it refuses to acknowledge the same motivations in its own citizens and resorts to repression and legal proceedings to silence dissent.

The Cuban official position reflects a clear double standard and reveals institutional hypocrisy. The Cuban regime, which prides itself on defending the rights of people internationally, represses its citizens when they exercise that same right to protest and demand improvements.

While the Valencian authorities allowed the protest without significant repercussions, the Cuban regime responded to its demonstrators with arrests and trials, in an attempt to control dissent and prevent the expression of public discontent.

This contradiction in the rhetoric of the official press highlights the challenge that Cubans face: a regime that supports protests in other countries while repressing demonstrations within its own territory, demonstrating a policy of censorship and punishment towards anyone who questions the reality on the Island.