Once again, the Cuban regime, led by ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, reiterated its willingness to pursue and suppress any critical manifestation, whether in the digital realm or in public spaces, under the pretext of defending the homeland from what it describes as “hate” and “ignorance”.
This Sunday, July 13, just two days before the fourth anniversary of the social uprising of 11J, the official profile of the Presidency of Cuba on X shared a highlighted quote from the leader.
"On social media and in the streets, wherever hatred or ignorance seeks to denigrate, humiliate, or attack Cuba, it is our duty to counter the haters and the ignorant to defend our homeland as we would defend our mothers."
The message, circulated in the midst of the collective memory fervor of July 11th, inevitably recalls the fateful "combat order" issued by Díaz-Canel in 2021, which marked the beginning of the mass repression against peaceful protesters across the island.
The phrase is part of the closing speech of the X Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), delivered on July 5th at the Palace of the Revolution, where Díaz-Canel outlined a roadmap with a strong ideological emphasis and called for the reinforcement of political, media, and social control as a national priority.
In his speech, the leader once again equated internal and external criticism with enemy actions, repeating the worn-out rhetoric that Cuba is a country in a “permanent state of war,” referring to a “bombardment” of “hate,” “disinformation,” and “subversion” promoted by the U.S. and its allies, to which – he said – one must respond from the ideological trench.
We are a country at war. Cuba has lived and resisted for more than 60 years under conditions of war. Every day, the bombs of economic warfare (...) as well as the bombs of disinformation, distortion, and hatred fall around us,” he assured.
The speech dedicated several passages to reinforcing ideological work, oversight of grassroots organizations, popular control, the role of youth in the defense of socialism, and the urgency of improving "political communication" to confront what it termed "the slander, negligence, and hate that abound in digital networks."
Díaz-Canel emphasized that communication cannot be neutral but rather a tool for defending the regime: "The much-debated political communication (...) requires more clarity, assertiveness, and more appealing methods (...) to confront the slander, the colonizing, interventionist, sordid discourse of the empire's spokespersons, the neoliberals, the mercenaries, the cowards."
In this context, the call to "confront" the critics, even comparing the defense of the homeland to the defense of mothers, was interpreted as an indirect threat against citizens, activists, and independent journalists who express dissent.
All of this is happening while a significant number of the protesters detained after the massive demonstrations on July 11 remain in prison, facing charges of contempt, public disorder, sedition, or other offenses, amidst a judicial crackdown on opposition activism, independent journalism, and civil criticism.
Since 2021, the state apparatus has strengthened its presence on social media with teams of cyber fighters, discrediting campaigns, and an increasingly aggressive discourse against any narrative that diverges from the official one.
The dissemination of the phrase, two days before the anniversary of the protests, appears to be part of an effort to reaffirm a confrontational discourse, enhance digital surveillance, and prevent expressions of protest in a context of increasing popular discontent.
In that same vein, the leader wrote on Friday, July 11, on his account on X that “Cuba is steadfast because we are a people who know how to fight; for having the spirit of the cimarrones and mambises; for being the children of a Revolution forged with intelligence and courage,” reaffirming his narrative of resistance and struggle in response to the growing public discontent.
Likewise, in June of last year, the Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz called to defend the regime he represents each day on social media, despite the reality of blackouts and limited internet access that Cubans endure.
“On World Social Media Day, we reiterate President Díaz-Canel's call to vindicate Cuba every day. Let these platforms be a stage to share our truth, to unite and build,” said Marrero on X.
Frequently Asked Questions about Díaz-Canel's Speech and the Situation in Cuba
What message did Díaz-Canel convey about the "haters" of the Cuban regime?
Díaz-Canel urged to "confront the haters" on social media and in the streets, in an effort to address criticisms of the Cuban regime. This message was delivered in the context of the fourth anniversary of the social uprising of July 11, and reinforces the policy of ideological repression against any dissent in Cuba.
What is the stance of the Cuban regime regarding social discontent and protests?
The Cuban regime, led by Díaz-Canel, maintains a confrontational stance towards social discontent, labeling it as "hatred" and "subversion". Díaz-Canel insists that Cuba is a country "at war" and blames the United States for instigating internal crises. The government's response has been to reinforce repression and social control to stifle any outbreak of protest.
How has the international community reacted to the actions of the Cuban government following the protests of July 11th?
The international community, especially the United States, has imposed sanctions targeting leaders of the Cuban regime, including Díaz-Canel, for "serious human rights violations." These sanctions aim to hold the top officials accountable for the repression following the protests on July 11, and have been criticized by the Cuban government as part of an "economic war."
What relevance does Díaz-Canel's speech have in the context of July 11th?
The speech by Díaz-Canel coincides with the fourth anniversary of the 11J, an event that marked the largest civic protest in Cuba in decades. The government uses this date to reaffirm its control and its narrative of resistance, in an attempt to delegitimize internal and external criticism. Repression and surveillance increase during this time to prevent new demonstrations.
Filed under:
