Fearing the unrest that has been brewing in society, the Cuban regime has once again resorted to its propaganda machinery to threaten and intimidate the population with the criminal offense of “disobedience.”
Citizens who have no employment or academic ties and have been "alerted" by social prevention bodies due to their "antisocial behavior," and who continue with such conduct, may become targets of a policy of "anonymous denunciation" promoted by the regime's repressive authorities.
This was explained by Colonel Rogelio Luis Lazo from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), who is the head of the specialized research and processes body of the General Directorate of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR).
In an interview with host Humberto López for the program Hacemos Cuba, the PNR officer explained the mechanism by which a citizen can be subjected to anonymous reports, police surveillance, and even criminal proceedings if they do not engage in work or academic activities and continue to display behavior that disregards the warnings of the social prevention group handling their case.
Composed of the head of the PNR Sector, the secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in their district, the leaders of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), and other mass organizations, these social prevention bodies will serve as the preliminary link before actions are taken by the Prosecutor's Office, which may take action against those who do not comply with the directives issued by these "authorities."
"What we need is information about the person engaged in these behaviors, about those who disrupt order," Colonel Lazo stated to the presenter and spokesperson for the regime's counterintelligence messages of coercion, threats, and manipulation.
The information that authorities need to take legal action against those who disregard the "warnings" can come through an "anonymous tip" or whistleblowing.
So far, nothing new: the Cuban regime has always promoted "snitching" as a "civic" behavior aligned with the principles of the so-called “revolution.” Informing on others is part of the totalitarian DNA ingrained in a society dominated by more than 60 years of single-party military dictatorship.
"What do we need to tell the authorities?... So-and-so is permanently on the corner, not working, not studying. Will you protect the identity of anyone who provides that information?" asked López, emphasizing that anyone, anonymously, could be the informant for the "antisocials."
Tasked with instilling confidence in potential informants ("Isn't that looked down upon by others?"), the presenter pressed on with his questions until the PNR officer clearly explained that anonymity is protected by the regime's repressive apparatus.
"First and foremost, we must instill trust in our people. As a principle, the identity of those who provide information to report these behaviors will be preserved. This is a fundamental tenet of police work," Lazo stated.
The strategy being orchestrated from the Palace
A recent article published in the official organ of the PCC served as a guide for the program, which also involved the President of the Supreme People's Court, Ileana Gómez Guerra, and the Chief Prosecutor of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Havana, Lisnay Mederos Torres.
The official media serving the PCC, the only legal ones in Cuba, have focused on spreading this "good news" aimed at maintaining strict control over the population: "antisocial" individuals can be placed in provisional detention until a criminal case is initiated and they are tried for disobedience.
If under the old Penal Code, those opposed to the regime were persecuted for "predelinquent social danger," with the new law approved in May 2022 (which was supposedly meant to eliminate a figure that had been criticized by experts and international organizations as a repressive mechanism), individuals without employment or academic ties who disregard warnings from the authorities for prevention and social care may be convicted of disobedience.
In mid-May, the government of Santiago de Cuba announced measures to address the increasing disconnection of young people from work and education in that province, threatening to go door to door to conduct a statistical survey.
Manuel Falcón Hernández, the governor of the city, declared that a thorough data collection will take place in each household to identify the employment and educational situation of its residents. According to the official, a detailed report will be compiled at the level of the Circumscription and Popular Council, which will be sent to him for evaluation.
"We have some people who are idle, disconnected from study and work, who contribute nothing but demand many rights without fulfilling their duties," declared the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel during a visit to Baracoa one month earlier, signaling the repressive policies being implemented in Cuba in anticipation of protests that the regime expects to occur during the summer.
A month after this visit with threats included, residents of Baracoa staged a street protest following a day of blackouts that left them without electricity for more than 14 hours.
The Cuban regime is targeting "antisocial elements" to issue threats that are fundamentally aimed at a society that has reached its limit of patience in the face of the immense socioeconomic, energy, and migration crisis it has been enduring for years.
But the indignation is growing like an abyss opening at the feet of the Cubans, and the anonymous informants summoned to snitch for the regime are dwindling in these terrible days.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Anonymous Reporting Policy in Cuba
What is the anonymous reporting policy promoted by the Cuban regime?
The policy of anonymous reporting in Cuba is a strategy employed by the regime to identify citizens who are not linked professionally or academically and who exhibit behavior deemed "antisocial." Authorities encourage the public to report these individuals anonymously, which can result in police surveillance and criminal proceedings.
What consequences can a citizen face for being reported anonymously in Cuba?
An anonymously reported citizen may face police surveillance and be subjected to criminal proceedings. An accusation of "disobedience" could lead to provisional imprisonment while the case is being processed, particularly if they ignore warnings from social prevention authorities.
How is the identity of whistleblowers protected in this system?
The regime asserts that the protection of the identity of whistleblowers is a fundamental principle of police work. Confidentiality is intended to instill trust in those who provide information, in order to encourage citizen cooperation in monitoring behaviors deemed antisocial.
What role do the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) play in this system of denunciation?
The CDR are part of the social prevention bodies responsible for identifying and reporting antisocial behavior. These committees, along with other mass organizations, serve as the first link in the process of surveillance and reporting, prior to any potential legal intervention by the Prosecutor's Office.
What has been the reaction of the Cuban population to these denunciation policies?
The policy of anonymous denunciation has created an atmosphere of distrust and fear among the Cuban population. Many view this practice as a tool of social control and repression, exacerbating the unrest in a society already affected by a socioeconomic, energy, and migratory crisis.
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