The Meta platform blocked the social media accounts of the government-affiliated digital media Razones de Cuba, used by the regime to criminalize Cuban opponents and spread the dictatorship's propaganda.
A note published by Razones de Cuba reported that the Instagram and Facebook profiles of the official platform were blocked for "denouncing Washington's subversion."
"Once again, they attempt to silence Razones de Cuba, while hundreds incite violence against the largest of the Antilles and try to destabilize the government through social media. Does this not represent a flagrant violation of Meta's regulations? Yet, no action is taken against them. They persist in their objectives with impunity, while Razones de Cuba is silenced for telling the reality of the Island," they wrote in a statement.
The official site explained that it was not possible to view content on the social network Facebook, while the Instagram profile was closed.
The platforms would have been blocked "without prior notice" for alleged "violations of community standards," a justification that Razones de Cuba deemed arbitrary.
"Once again, the ideological bias of these platforms and their role as a reflection of the interests of the United States government are exposed," the site ironically stated, while itself promoting the ideological propaganda of the official narrative.
The media outlet was created in 2010 to delegitimize citizens' claims against the regime and discredit the opposition within the Island.
In their content, they emphasize that they speak out against "propaganda campaigns" and "media manipulation by the United States to discredit the government."
Reasons of Cuba also reiterates the arguments of the Castro leadership and exonerates the Cuban elites from internal crises, attributing responsibility to external factors such as U.S. sanctions, portraying these actions as part of an "imperialist plan" to overthrow the system.
The platform belongs to the Ideas Multimedios group, which is also responsible for Cubadebate, Mesa Redonda, Con filo, Cuadrando la caja, and Fidel, soldier of ideas.
Recently, Razones de Cuba used the case of the Cuban child Damir, who passed away in the U.S. due to medical complications after having obtained a visa for treatment in that country, as an example of its healthcare system, highlighting the resources invested in his treatment.
On Facebook, the platform claimed that since the onset of his illness, Damir received specialized medical care and had access to high-tech diagnostic tools, claims that were denied by the child's mother.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Account Blocking of Razones de Cuba by Meta
Why did Meta block the accounts of Razones de Cuba?
Meta blocked the accounts of Razones de Cuba on Instagram and Facebook for violations of community standards. The official Cuban outlet Razones de Cuba used its platforms to spread propaganda for the regime and criminalize opponents on the island. Meta took this action without prior notice, which has been criticized by the outlet as an arbitrary act and ideologically biased.
What role does Razones de Cuba play in the Cuban regime?
Razones de Cuba is an official media outlet created to delegitimize the opposition and justify the actions of the Cuban regime. Founded in 2010, the outlet reiterates the arguments of the Cuban government, attributing internal crises to external factors such as U.S. sanctions, and presenting these as part of a supposed "imperialist plan" to overthrow the Cuban system.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to the blockade by Razones de Cuba?
The Cuban regime has denounced the blockade as a blatant violation of Meta's regulations. They argue that while Razones de Cuba is silenced, others continue to incite violence against Cuba without being censored. Furthermore, they label the measure as a demonstration of the ideological bias of digital platforms, reflecting the interests of the United States government.
What impact does Meta's blockade have on freedom of expression in Cuba?
The blocking of Meta against Razones de Cuba highlights the tension between censorship and freedom of expression in the Cuban context. While the regime accuses platforms like Meta of silencing its voice, the reality on the island is that press freedom is severely restricted, with independent media being persecuted and journalists imprisoned. This incident underscores the complexity of the media landscape in Cuba and the struggle for control over the narrative.
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