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The regime reported on Monday the hacking of the official account on X (formerly Twitter) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX).
Official media outlets such as Cubadebate and governmental accounts like that of the Government of Havana warned that any publication made from the profile @CubaMINREX on X should be regarded as false.
The official message warned followers to refrain from relying on information shared from that Minrex account until further notice.
Changes detected in the account
Among the visible modifications on the Foreign Ministry's account are: Restriction of posts, which are now only visible to followers. Removal of recent posts, including one from the same day.
The Cuban government has not provided further details on the possible actions taken to regain control of the account or on the identity of those responsible.
A precedent of a cyberattack in 2022
This incident adds to a series of similar events that have occurred in the past. In December 2022, MINREX reported a cyber attack on its official website, which restricted user access for several hours.
On that occasion, the authorities explained that more than 125 sites of Cuban diplomatic missions abroad were rendered inoperative. The technical issues revealed failures in the Foreign Ministry's server.
The MINREX assured that the integrity of its sites was not compromised. Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez stated that the attacks were part of "illegal actions" related to an "unconventional war in the communicational and digital realms" against Cuba.
Implications of this new hacking
The hacking of the MINREX account on X, although limited in scope, once again highlights the vulnerability of the digital infrastructures of the Cuban government.
Furthermore, the incident occurs in a context of rising international tensions, coinciding with Donald Trump's arrival at the White House for a second term. Meanwhile, Havana insists that these attacks are part of external destabilization campaigns.
The authorities have not provided details regarding the origin of this hacking incident or the measures that will be taken to prevent future attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions about the hacking of the MINREX account on X
What happened to account X of the Cuban MINREX?
The Cuban regime reported that the official account on X of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba was hacked. It was warned that any publication from the profile @CubaMINREX should be considered false until further notice.
What changes were detected in the MINREX account after the hacking?
After the hack, restrictions were detected on posts, which are now visible only to followers, and recent posts have been deleted, including one from the same day as the incident. The Cuban government has not provided further details on how it plans to regain control of the account.
Have there been any other cybersecurity incidents in Cuba recently?
Yes, in December 2022, MINREX reported a cyberattack against its official website, which restricted access for several hours. The Cuban government views these incidents as part of a "communicational war" against the country.
What is the stance of the Cuban government regarding these cyberattacks?
The Cuban government maintains that cyberattacks are part of external destabilization campaigns directed against the country. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has described these attacks as "illegal actions" in the communication and digital realm.
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