The Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla responded harshly to the former spy Gerardo Hernández, current national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), following the accusations he recently made against her on social media.
In a live broadcast on his Facebook account this Monday, Calzadilla did not hold back and launched strong criticisms against the former agent of the Red Avispa, whom he labeled as a "criminal" and a "liar."
The controversy erupted after Hernández posted on Saturday, on his personal profile, a phrase in a tone of reproach against Calzadilla. "There is no worse splinter than that of the same stick", he said.
She was referring to a previous post by the Cuban who ironized about the Israeli attacks against high-ranking Iranian officials and suggested, with evident sarcasm, that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could do the Cubans a “favor” if he knew Miguel Díaz-Canel's opinion of him.
The activist's message was interpreted by the former spy as a request for military invasion of Cuba, to which he responded aggressively: "When you ask for your country to be invaded, don't ask it from elsewhere; ask it while being there, so you know what a missile sounds like."
In response to this accusation, Amelia Calzadilla chose to reply with a strong intervention in which she dismantled the discourse of the communist official and defended her right to express herself.
“I’m going to tell you directly, Gerardo, that your words don’t affect me,” Calzadilla began. “You and I are not cut from the same cloth. You are a notorious criminal, as the American authorities imprisoned you for espionage activities.”
The activist recalled that Hernández was convicted in the United States for infiltrating civil organizations, and she accused him of being involved in the case of the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes in 1996, a tragedy in which four Cuban-American civilians lost their lives while flying over international waters.
You are a delinquent, you are a criminal, you are a convict, and I am a decent, honest, and honorable citizen,” added Calzadilla, emphasizing that while he promotes “cheap populism” and engages in a “victimization campaign” touring the CDR, she denounces from exile the injustices committed by the Cuban regime.
During his broadcast, he also accused Hernández of acting as a "snitch trainer" within the CDR, using his experience in Cuban intelligence to promote neighborhood surveillance.
Calzadilla gained notoriety in Cuba three years ago for a viral address in which he denounced the shortages and repression in the country. In his recent message, he asserted that Gerardo and the regime are afraid of him:
You instill terror in me. Look, not fear, terror, because my message is so clear that it doesn’t need embellishments to reach the people.
Calzadilla concluded by stating that while Hernández represents the past, she and other young Cubans represent a better future for Cuba, free from oppression and corruption.
“You are the real killer, the one who wants the people of Cuba to keep dying as they have until today. I speak the truth, you are a liar, a bootlicker,” he declared.
The statements by Calzadilla have generated a wide echo on social media, where dozens of Cubans have shown their support for the activist and criticized the disproportionate reaction of the former spy.
Frequently asked questions about Amelia Calzadilla and Gerardo Hernández
Why did Amelia Calzadilla call Gerardo Hernández a "delinquent"?
Amelia Calzadilla described Gerardo Hernández as a "delinquent" and "criminal" due to his past as a former spy and his involvement in espionage activities that led to a conviction in the United States. Additionally, she accused him of being involved in the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes in 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four Cuban-American civilians.
What prompted the clash between Amelia Calzadilla and Gerardo Hernández?
The confrontation originated when Gerardo Hernández interpreted an ironic comment from Calzadilla regarding the Israeli attacks on Iran as a request for military invasion of Cuba. Hernández responded aggressively on social media, which prompted Calzadilla to publicly defend himself and criticize Hernández for his past and actions as an official of the Cuban regime.
What is Gerardo Hernández's current role in Cuba?
Gerardo Hernández is the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), an organization that, among other functions, promotes neighborhood watch in Cuba. His past as a former spy and his current role in the CDR have been points of criticism from opponents of the Cuban regime.
How has Cuban society reacted to the conflict between Calzadilla and Hernández?
The response from Cuban society has been largely supportive of Amelia Calzadilla, with many Cubans expressing their backing for the activist and criticizing Gerardo Hernández's disproportionate reaction. Calzadilla's statements have resonated widely on social media, reflecting the discontent with the Cuban regime.
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