The Cuban regime continues to rely on its official narrative, promoting propaganda events that attempt to demonstrate alleged popular support for the government, while the reality of the country crumbles amidst blackouts, shortages, and crisis.
In this context, the former spy Gerardo Hernández Nordelo shared images of an "antimperialist neighborhood debate" in Holguín on his Facebook profile, which sparked outrage and mockery on social media.
"We are in the Pedro Díaz Coello neighborhood of Holguín, in an anti-imperialist debate community," Hernández wrote on Wednesday night, accompanied by photos showing him with a group of people participating in the activity.
However, despite his triumphant rhetoric, internet users quickly exposed him in the comments section, confronting him with the reality he tries to mask with empty posts.
Noel García said, "Tell me what you intend, and I will know your deficiencies! Every day, you are more hated by the people; not even those who steal the most (the leaders) can endure the unsustainable situation they have created."
"And they have electricity there, because half of Cuba is in the dark or using their phones for light," emphasized Yamel Amador Concepción, highlighting what the images shared by the former spy show: that electricity always shows up when it comes to propaganda events.
Andrés Jesús Sánchez Pérez questioned the privileges of former Cuban spies by commenting: “Buddy, what means of transportation do you use? Are you traveling by Ómnibus Nacionales, Ferrocarriles de Cuba, VíaAzul, Transtur, or Transgaviota? Today you're in Cerro and tomorrow in Holguín,” implying that while he travels with ease, the average Cuban struggles to move from one province to another.
For his part, Abel Montes stated, "Look at how they are wasting their time, and there are brainless people who enjoy participating in that nonsense," pointing out how, in recent months, the regime has intensified its propaganda machinery with activities that do not address the urgent problems of the population and merely squander the country's limited resources.
The Cuban regime has promoted a series of propaganda events in recent months to reinforce its political discourse. One of these was the so-called "neighborhood debates", presented as forums for popular discussion, although they have a distinctly official orientation.
These encounters took a more aggressive turn in their rhetoric, blaming the administration of Donald Trump as the main culprit for the economic crisis on the island. The strategy of the Cuban government has been to divert attention from internal problems and assign blame to external factors for the deterioration of the situation in the country.
In a subsequent event, the regime used the platform of the Anti-imperialist Tribune to demand the return of the Guantanamo Naval Base to Cuba, reflecting its confrontational narrative against the United States. This strategy has been a recurring theme in the official discourse, especially during times of economic and social tension within the country.
More recently, the government organized an “anti-imperialist bicycle ride”, a symbolic event aimed at promoting resistance to the alleged economic blockade. However, these actions have been criticized by many citizens, who believe the government should focus on solving internal issues rather than perpetuating a political confrontation without concrete solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Antimperialist Neighborhood Debate" in Cuba and the Figure of Gerardo Hernández
What are the "anti-imperialist neighborhood debates" promoted by the Cuban government?
The "anti-imperialist neighborhood debates" are a propaganda strategy of the Cuban regime promoted by the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR). Their aim is to blame the U.S. embargo and the administration of Donald Trump for the economic and social crisis in Cuba, attempting to divert attention from the country's internal problems. These events seek to reinforce the official narrative among the population, although participation in them is increasingly low due to social discontent.
Why does Gerardo Hernández participate in these "neighborhood debates"?
Gerardo Hernández, former spy and current national coordinator of the CDR, participates in these debates as part of his propaganda efforts for the regime. His role is to promote the official narrative that blames external factors, such as the U.S. embargo, for the crisis Cuba is facing, and to bolster the government's image among citizens, despite the evident social discontent.
What criticisms has the Cuban regime received for these events?
The Cuban regime has been criticized for using these events as a distraction from internal problems. Critics argue that the "barrio debates" are an attempt to manipulate public opinion and divert attention from the government's responsibility in the economic and social crisis facing the country. Furthermore, it is pointed out that these events do not address the urgent needs of the population, such as food shortages and constant blackouts.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the "anti-imperialist neighborhood debates"?
The reaction of the Cuban population has been predominantly negative. Many citizens view these debates as a waste of time that do not address the real issues facing the country. Participation in these events has significantly decreased, and Cubans have voiced their discontent through protests and criticisms on social media, denouncing the lack of concrete solutions to their daily problems.
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