Related videos:
The head of communication for the Cuban government, Leticia Martínez Hernández, received a strong public response from Manuel David Orrio del Rosario, a former State Security agent, who countered her arguments defending national dignity point by point.
The reply from Orrio, published on the anti-system leftist content portal Kaosenlared, presented data that challenges the official narrative of “continuity” led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, and pointed to possible disputes within the regime.
In his article, Orrio dismantled each of the points raised by Martínez Hernández, who had cited Cuba's scientific, medical, and sports achievements to counter the concerns previously expressed by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez regarding the loss of national dignity.
The former agent—one of the informants of the Cuban regime who reported the activities of independent journalists and opponents that resulted in arrests and convictions during the so-called Black Spring—argued that the reality in Cuba contradicts the optimistic narrative of the government, citing statistics that show a deterioration in key areas such as health, education, and the economy.
For example, it was highlighted that infant mortality in Cuba increased from 4.0 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 7.5 in 2023, representing a setback in indicators that were once a source of national pride. It was also emphasized that investment in education between 2009 and 2023 represented only 1.72% of the country’s total investments, raising questions about the current state of the Cuban educational system.
Fragments from the text of 'Agent Miguel'
Orrio not only presented figures that contradict the government's version, but also criticized Martínez Hernández's triumphalist attitude, pointing out that many of the achievements mentioned have been overshadowed by the economic crisis, corruption, and the lack of transparency in state management.
In the example of "national dignity" mentioned by Martínez Hernández, "when a girl needs blood for her leukemia and a province mobilizes," Orrio del Rosario issued a true challenge to the regime, naming some of its key figures, including his colleague from State Security and current coordinator of the CDR, Gernardo Hernández Nordelo.
"How is compliance in Cuba with the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which stipulates having a minimum of one blood donation per 100 inhabitants in blood inventories? How dovoluntary blood donations trend, a long-standing task of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR)?" asked the former agent to Díaz-Canel's press chief.
"Is the Cuban press informing you, dear Ricardo Ronquillo Bello, President of the Cuban Journalists' Union; are you reporting it, Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, member of the Council of State of that republic and National Coordinator of the CDR? Is it being reported by the Minister of Public Health Dr. Jose Angel Portal Miranda?" he added.
Another example. Leticia cited Díaz-Canel's work agenda as an example of "national dignity": "When the president of the country visits six or eight municipalities in three days, meets with young people, arrives in Havana, changes clothes, and goes to the Habano because there is an auction that can bring in millions for Public Health."
Y Orrio del Rosario replied: "Quick, the President, on foot or by helicopter? In case the Head of State is not aware, as it seems he also doesn't know how to hold a cigar, according to the images circulating, many more millions for public health would result from an investment policy that allocates more than the pitiful 2.92%, -of a total of 216,045 million between 2009 and 2023-, designated for health and social assistance during that period."
Furthermore, in a defiant tone, the former agent mentioned that, unlike the official and Díaz-Canel himself, he had faced enemies from the shadows and received honors for his work in State Security, implying that his authority to speak on national dignity was better grounded.
"We have a lot to fix, a sea of issues, but national dignity is another matter. And if today we are where we are, with a noose around our necks yet still breathing (which can also be called national dignity), it is because one day we believed in that idea of 'the folly of taking on the enemy, the folly of living without a price,'" concluded Martínez Hernández in his response to Silvio, quoting his song "El Necio."
Y Orrio del Rosario countered: "Enemies? I faced them from the shadows for eleven years; I have paid and continue to pay exorbitant prices for having defended and for defending the Homeland. Neither the President nor you can wear the First Class Medal of Valor 'Eliseo Reyes', awarded by the State Council of the Republic of Cuba. I can. Therefore, I take the liberty of quoting an aphorism from my best boss in the Cuban State Security: 'worst enemy, friendly fire'."
The origin of the controversy
This exchange of statements originated from a reflection by Silvio in which he lamented the loss of national dignity in Cuba, a comment that was widely interpreted as an indirect criticism of the lavish celebration of the Habanos Festival at the Capitol in Havana.
The event, which brought together businesspeople and international figures amidst the severe economic crisis in the country, sparked outrage among large segments of the population.
In response, Martínez Hernández posted a message on his Facebook profile defending national dignity, highlighting the achievements of the Cuban system in health, education, and international solidarity.
Furthermore, he justified the hosting of the event at the Capitol, asserting that such gatherings enhance the country's image and provide economic benefits to strategic sectors like public health.
However, her response sparked mixed reactions, the most notable being that of Orrio del Rosario, who accused her of distorting reality and evading the country's structural problems.
His article not only refuted the points made by Martínez Hernández, but also suggested the existence of internal tensions within the Cuban government, implying that senior leaders are responsible for the deterioration of key indicators.
Tensions within the regime
The hardness of Orrio's response has led to speculation about possible fractures within the power structures in Cuba.
That a former State Security agent publicly questions a key figure in the regime's power narrative suggests that there are discrepancies among sectors of the establishment. While some attempt to uphold an image of resilience and success amid the crisis, others seem willing to highlight the failures of government management.
Orrio's intervention also highlights that censorship and internal discipline within the regime are not as strict as they once were, which could be indicative of a growing fragmentation within the ruling elite. Although the Cuban government has attempted to project an image of cohesion, episodes like this reveal cracks that could have long-term political implications.
On the other hand, Martínez Hernández's mother, María del Carmen Hernández Carús, also intervened in the controversy defending her daughter and rejecting the attacks against her, which shows that the controversy extends beyond official circles and stirs individual passions among the powerful in the regime and their families.
The controversy continues to generate debate on social media and in the media, with some interpreting it as a symptom of the internal crisis of the Cuban government and others seeing it as merely a dispute of opinions.
In any case, Orrio's reaction revealed a fracture within the regime's communication apparatus, calling into question the cohesion of its official narrative at a critical moment for the country.
Filed under:
