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The independent media elTOQUE reported today that State Security has circulated a manipulated audio using artificial intelligence, aiming to implicate its editor-in-chief, José Jasán Nieves Cárdenas, in alleged financial arrangements to alter the informal market rate, a maneuver that the site describes as part of a new disinformation operation by the Cuban regime.
In a post on Facebook, elTOQUE warned that the recording made with manipulation technologies does not constitute evidence of any non-existent agreement, but rather another example of the Communist Party's strategy to attempt to discredit the media amid a context of deep economic crisis and lack of political legitimacy.
Nieves recalled that this tactic is not new, as in 2024 the regime had already attempted to stage a similar operation through a supposed “German businessman” who sought to involve the editorial team in financial maneuvers.
"They had to wait a year, but in the end, they took the plunge to use the trick they attempted last year. Better this way; it's no longer a guess that their agent in Germany wanted this,” emphasized the journalist on their Facebook account.
On social media, reactions came swiftly. Users questioned the maneuver of the Cuban State Security, pointing out that if the government had the ability to stabilize the currency, it would do so at the official Cadecas, rather than blaming an independent media outlet for the devaluation of the peso.
Other internet users rated the operation as a sign of desperation. “It’s all they have left, to fabricate setups to divert attention,” commented one user, while another pointed out that elTOQUE has become a more reliable reference than any spokesperson for the Cuban government.
There were also direct criticisms of the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate audio, which some called the clearest evidence of the regime's moral decay. "They no longer even respect the art of defamation; now they rely on crude edits that nobody believes," another commentator quipped.
Reactions agree that the offensive against elTOQUE does not aim to clarify anything, but rather to discredit and intimidate, while also showcasing the government's inability to provide real answers to the inflation and economic collapse affecting the population.
The maneuver is part of a sustained offensive against the outlet. Last July, the portal responded to attacks from Cubadebate and teleSUR, which accused it of being part of a supposed "economic war" against the government and of inducing inflation on the island.
The media refuted those accusations as unfounded, emphasizing that it does not engage in the buying and selling of currencies nor manipulates the values it reports.
In August 2024, the government economist Antonio Rodríguez Salvador stated on the program "Con Filo" that "elTOQUE induces inflation in Cuba."
In May 2024, the Metropolitan Bank accused it of causing an "induced inflation operation", supposedly orchestrated from abroad.
The repressive wave against the independent media intensified after the Cuban regime began the official sale of foreign currency in the country in an attempt to control the exchange rate of the informal market and the rising inflation in the country.
The Representative Rate of the Informal Market (TRMI), published daily by elTOQUE, has become a key tool for millions of Cubans in the absence of reliable official statistics.
Her methodology, based on the analysis of online currency trading ads, was validated by the British academic journal Applied Economics.
In June, the Minister of Economy Joaquín Alonso Vázquez used a graph in an official presentation that displayed values very similar to those reported by elTOQUE.
In addition, ETECSA, the state telecommunications monopoly, recently adjusted its mobile rates by applying a rate that reflects the price of the informal market.
Cuban economists such as Pavel Vidal emphasize that the TRMI acts as a "real-time thermometer" for the currency crisis, and they underline that neither the informal market nor an informational portal is to blame for the inflation and monetary collapse of the country, the root of which lies in the centralized model and the failed policies of the government.
Beyond the technical questioning, elTOQUE denounced that this campaign is also an attempt to intimidate its collaborators on the island, who have been subjected to threats under accusations of “mercenarism”.
The outlet insisted that its funding sources do not compromise its editorial independence or its commitment to providing the public with transparent information.
The operation against elTOQUE confirms a repeated pattern: the regime fabricates fabrications and makes unsubstantiated accusations to distract attention from the crisis, while suppressing those who expose uncomfortable facts.
The real problem for the government is not a manipulated audio, but the reality that millions of Cubans witness daily, which elTOQUE reflects with verifiable data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Disinformation and Repression in Cuba
What is the new disinformation operation reported by El Toque?
The independent outlet elTOQUE reported that the State Security in Cuba has disseminated a manipulated audio using artificial intelligence to implicate its editor-in-chief, José Jasán Nieves Cárdenas, in non-existent financial agreements. This maneuver is part of a disinformation operation by the Cuban regime to discredit the outlet amid an economic crisis.
Why does the Cuban government accuse El Toque of manipulating the economy?
The Cuban government accuses El Toque of manipulating the economy through its Informal Market Representative Rate (TRMI), which reflects the real value of currencies in the informal market. However, this accusation is unfounded, as the medium merely reports existing values and does not engage in price manipulation.
How does El Toque's TRMI affect Cubans?
The TRMI from El Toque has become an essential tool for millions of Cubans, as it provides a reliable reference for the value of currencies in the informal market. This rate is crucial in a context where reliable official statistics are lacking and the formal exchange market is nonfunctional.
What is the role of State Security in the repression of journalism in Cuba?
The State Security in Cuba uses intimidation and disinformation tactics to repress independent media and journalists who expose the reality of the country. This repression seeks to silence critical voices and maintain control over the official narrative, in an attempt to divert attention from the economic and social crisis facing the island.
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