A clear example of double standards was demonstrated by the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, as he celebrated the protests taking place these days in several cities in the United States.
On his X account (formerly Twitter), Rodríguez wrote an inspiring message: “#HandsOff protests in over a thousand cities across the 50 States of #USA, with nearly half a million participants, denounce the management of the plutocracy that governs this country in the interest of big capital and against the aspirations of the majority of American citizens.”
From official spokespeople and media controlled by the Communist Party, the government has amplified images of the marches.
Some users reminded him that, unlike Cuba, in the United States protests are legal and citizens are not repressed for exercising their right to free expression. "How fortunate that in the U.S. liberal democracy allows protest, while in the regime you represent it is prohibited,” replied the Cuban activist Magdiel Jorge Castro.
“Ah look how good… people protesting without being repressed in a free country, something that cannot be done in #Cuba,” pointed out another person. Meanwhile, another user added: “Thank goodness we can protest here.”
Other responses pointed directly to the lack of free elections on the island and the imposition of the single political system. "You see, this is normal in a democracy. In other places, they say that 'the streets belong to the revolutionaries' and add that 'the order has been given.' I don’t know if that sounds familiar to you."
There were even those who summarized the general sentiment with a straightforward phrase. "Sir, one must have no shame for such a publication."
The "Hands Off!" movement or #HandsOff, in English, emerged in response to the policies implemented during the second term of President Donald Trump, particularly those related to cuts in social programs and the increasing influence of billionaire Elon Musk in the government.
The protests, which took place on Saturday, April 5th, were organized in the 50 states and were supported by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, unions, and LGBTQ+ community advocates.
The protesters expressed their opposition to measures such as the dismissal of thousands of federal workers, the closure of offices for social programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and the removal of protections for vulnerable communities, including immigrants and transgender individuals.
Additionally, they criticized the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, which is responsible for implementing these austerity measures.
The main demands of the movement include:
- End of billionaires' control over government institutions.
- Protection and strengthening of essential social programs.
- Restoration and expansion of rights and protections for marginalized communities.
These protests represented one of the largest mobilizations of resistance since the beginning of Trump's second term, reflecting a growing public concern about the direction of federal policies and the influence of economic elites in government decision-making.
But in Cuba, any citizen who tries to publicly express their dissatisfaction with the system is criminalized, pursued, or imprisoned. Protests are met with arbitrary arrests, internet shutdowns, police presence, and smear campaigns against the demonstrators.
Hypocrisy doesn't end there. While the Cuban government celebrates the fact that in the U.S. the free exercise of the right to protest is allowed, Cubans do not have real constitutional guarantees to exercise that same right. The Article 56 of the Constitution, which recognizes the right to peaceful demonstration, remains dead letter: no decree has been approved to put it into effect. And each attempt to protest has been treated as a threat to the “socialist order.”
The inconsistency of the Cuban regime in celebrating other people's protests while prohibiting its own is not new, but it becomes particularly grotesque when considering the current context. The official machinery, which demands respect for sovereignty and non-interference when it comes to Cuba, does not hesitate to express opinions, amplify, and manipulate events occurring outside its borders to further its political narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hypocrisy of the Cuban Regime and Protests in the U.S.
What is the Cuban regime's stance on the protests in the U.S.?
The Cuban regime, through its Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, has welcomed the protests in the U.S. that criticize Donald Trump's administration and the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk. However, this stance is hypocritical as the same regime prohibits and represses any attempt at protest in Cuba.
Why is the celebration of protests in the U.S. by the Cuban government considered hypocritical?
The Cuban government's celebration of the protests in the U.S. is seen as hypocritical because the exercise of the right to protest is not allowed in Cuba. Although the Cuban Constitution acknowledges this right, no measures have been enacted to make it effective, and any attempt at demonstration is met with arrests and violence.
What measures does the Cuban regime take against protests on the island?
The Cuban regime represses protests with arbitrary arrests, internet blackouts, and smear campaigns against demonstrators. Furthermore, there are no real constitutional guarantees for peaceful protest, which contrasts with its support for protests in other countries like the U.S.
What are the demands of the #HandsOff movement protesters in the U.S.?
The main demands of the #HandsOff movement in the U.S. include ending the control of billionaires over government institutions, protecting and strengthening essential social programs, and restoring and expanding rights and protections for marginalized communities.
Filed under:
