A group of young lawyers belonging to the business system of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) organized an unusual "anti-imperialist tribunal" in Havana, where they staged a trial against the United States Government, which they declared "guilty" of the effects of the embargo on the Cuban economy.
The spectacle adds to the long list of ridiculous media actions orchestrated by the Communication Directorate of the FAR for propagandistic purposes. The participants in this case are adults, law graduates, pretending to be judges and prosecutors in a "symbolic tribunal" that concluded, of course, with a "verdict against the United States."
Far from being a legitimate or useful legal exercise, it was a political performance with no legal value, organized to reinforce the official narrative of the regime regarding how the U.S. embargo affects its state-owned enterprises, particularly the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the military conglomerate that controls more than 70% of the Cuban economy.
Instead of being held accountable for GAESA's shady dealings, its debts, its real losses, or its lack of public auditing, the state propaganda apparatus prefers to conduct mock trials, where everything is controlled and the verdict is known in advance.
The case was detailed in a report by the National News of Cuban Television, highlighting how state media is used to promote a blatant distraction, financed with public resources, amid widespread shortages and the collapse of basic services in the country.
During the symbolic trial, a report was read which allegedly quantifies millions of dollars in losses caused by the embargo, between March 2024 and February 2025. The data is not verifiable, lacks details, and cannot be cross-referenced with independent sources.
The court did not conduct a critical analysis of the role of Cuban military enterprises in the country's economic management, and the report does not include statements from the lawyers who should hypothetically have defended imperialism, if any member of that chamber had the courage and the minimal respect for the principle of contradiction.
However, this symbolic trial did include the intervention of selected witnesses, the presentation of "documentary evidence" against Washington, and a final ruling that declared the U.S. government guilty of obstructing access to essential goods for Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime.
All this spectacle took place in an air-conditioned hall, while the Cuban people suffer from power outages, inflation devours workers' salaries, and leaves thousands of families without enough food for their children.
The airing of the report concluded with shouts of "Down with imperialism!" and "Long live the Cuban revolution!", in what seemed like a school morning rally. The most insulting part is that these were not students or high school youth; those participating in the spectacle were lawyers and professionals from the military judicial system in Cuba.
On social media, the outrage was immediate. Comments such as "they're getting more ridiculous every day," "but they just want dollars while talking about the blockade," or "go cry, that's the corrupt politics of Castrosm" reflected the public sentiment towards propaganda that no longer convinces anyone.
The dictatorship fantasizes about judging the external enemy while refusing to submit the operations of GAESA to public scrutiny, one of the most opaque and powerful apparatuses in the country. There is no access to its accounts, no transparency, and of course, no court in Cuba has summoned the FAR to account to the people.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Symbolic Trial of Imperialism in Cuba
What was the "anti-imperialist tribunal" organized in Cuba?
The "anti-imperialist tribunal" was a staged event organized by a group of FAR lawyers in Cuba, where they simulated a trial against the Government of the United States, declaring it guilty of the economic embargo. This event lacked legal validity and aimed to reinforce the official narrative of the regime regarding the effects of the embargo on the Cuban economy, particularly on the military conglomerate GAESA.
What is the real impact of the United States embargo on the Cuban economy?
The United States embargo has a significant impact on the Cuban economy, limiting access to essential goods and affecting state-run enterprises. However, the regime uses the embargo as an excuse to justify the lack of transparency and inefficiency in the country's economic management, particularly in companies controlled by the military conglomerate GAESA.
How is propaganda used in Cuba to divert attention from its internal problems?
The Cuban regime uses propaganda events such as the "anti-imperialist tribunal" to distract attention from the internal crisis, including food shortages, medicines, and basic goods. These actions aim to blame external factors for the country's problems while avoiding addressing the lack of transparency and poor internal economic management.
What role does GAESA play in the Cuban economy?
GAESA is a military conglomerate that controls over 70% of the Cuban economy. It manages key sectors such as tourism, telecommunications, and retail. The lack of transparency in its operations and the absolute control over foreign currency revenues are criticized as obstacles to economic development and transparency in Cuba.
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