The Cuban government started this week the "anti-imperialist neighborhood debates", propaganda events aimed at blaming the U.S. embargo and the administration of Donald Trump for the crisis faced by the Cuban people.
According to an official report broadcast this Friday on the National News of Cuban Television, one of these meetings took place in the Popular Council of Pilar-Atarés, in the capital municipality of Cerro, and was presided over by the former spy Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR).
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) reiterated in the "debate" the same arguments they typically use to distance themselves from any responsibility for the precarious situation of the people.
They referred to the alleged "damage" caused by the "blockade", which would justify, in the opinion of Cuban repressors, "the importance of continuing the anti-imperialist struggle." "Our anti-imperialism is an anti-imperialism that is truly in our blood, in our life, in our struggle. We have a commitment to our youth, we have a commitment to the future of Cuba," they said.
Hernández Nordelo, for his part, blamed the U.S. government for the health crisis that arose during the coronavirus pandemic when, in his opinion, they did not "allow" the import of medical supplies.
"This is the strange way they claim to want to help our people. And that's why, when we hold a meeting like this, which we are conducting across the country, with neighbors, to talk about these issues, to explain why we are anti-imperialists and respect the people of the United States, we are discussing our history, talking about our differences, but on the basis of mutual respect," he expressed.
With his worn rhetoric, the former spy supported the celebration of those acts of revolutionary reaffirmation that will extend until July.
The objective, as reported by Prensa Latina, is to "denounce the blockade that the government of the United States has maintained against the island for more than 60 years, now intensified by President Donald Trump as part of the economic war" and for this purpose the regime estimates conducting approximately 1,400 debates.
Last week, the Cuban government launched its new propaganda strategy, which it was already celebrating even before announcing it.
The beginning of these debates took place in Hatibonico, a municipality of Caimanera, in the province of Guantánamo, with the presence of the first secretary of the Communist Party in the province, Yoel A. Pérez Bravo.
The island's authorities repeat that these meetings are necessary in light of a possible intensification of U.S. policy towards Cuba, but in reality, the CDR have lost much of their influence in Cuban society, and participation in these types of events is increasingly low.
In an attempt to encourage attendance, Aranelys Barban Rodríguez, a member of the National Secretariat of the CDR, called on Cubans to a "casino dance" event on February 22 at La Piragua in Havana, highlighting the authorities' desperation to keep an organization that has lost relevance and credibility alive.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Neighborhood Debates" and the Situation in Cuba
What are the "anti-imperialist neighborhood debates" organized by the Cuban regime?
The "anti-imperialist neighborhood debates" are propaganda events organized by the Cuban regime to blame the U.S. embargo and the administration of Donald Trump for the economic crisis facing the island. These debates aim to divert responsibility from the Cuban government regarding the economic and social situation of the country, promoting the narrative that the embargo is the main culprit for the hardships faced by the Cuban population.
What is the purpose of the "barrio debates" in Cuba?
The objective of the "community debates" is to denounce the U.S. embargo and justify the Cuban regime's anti-imperialist struggle. Through these events, the government aims to reinforce its official narrative and hold the U.S. government responsible for the precarious economic situation of the island, while attempting to divert attention from its own failures in managing the country.
Who participates in these "neighborhood debates" and what is their impact on Cuban society?
The "neighborhood debates" are organized by the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and involve the participation of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX). However, the influence of the CDR has significantly diminished in Cuban society, and attendance at these events is increasingly low. The regime tries to encourage participation through other activities, such as dance events, but the general lack of interest from the population shows the diminishing relevance of these organizations.
How does the Cuban regime use the U.S. embargo to justify the crisis on the island?
The Cuban regime uses the U.S. embargo as a central argument to justify the economic and social crisis on the island. It claims that the sanctions imposed by the U.S. are responsible for the shortage of food, medicine, and other essential goods. However, there are exceptions in the embargo that allow for the export of medical products and food to Cuba, indicating that the regime is also responsible for the lack of resources and its poor internal management.
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