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Update: the author of the hoax himself acknowledges it
On September 26, Ignacio Giménez himself published a message on his Facebook profile in which he openly admitted to having fabricated the rumor about Raúl Castro's hospitalization, describing it as a “test” to gauge the reliability of media outlets and websites. In that same message, he intertwined the topic with the promotion of a supposed technological megaproject in Granada, job offers, and narratives disconnected from reality. This admission confirms that the origin of the rumor was never based on reality and that it was a deliberately manufactured falsehood, later amplified by those who spread it without verification.
The latest rumor about Raúl Castro had an obvious origin: a social media account with a history of falsehoods. Nevertheless, a page that presents itself as a media outlet replicated it, and from there it escalated to international news, publications within the Cuban ecosystem, and finally to a parody that transformed it into "death." All without a single verifiable piece of evidence.
The initial source: a profile with a history of hoaxes
The rumor started on September 22 on the Facebook page Ignacio Giménez Cuba, known for spreading dozens of false posts in the past. This time, it claimed that Raúl Castro had been urgently taken to a clinic in Havana, with details about “stretchers,” “vital support units,” and “security rings.” None of these assertions were supported by evidence: no verifiable photos, no identified witnesses, and no official medical reports.
The echo: the reply of another page
On September 23, the page Periódico Patria 1892, posing as a medium, republished almost word for word the content from Ignacio Giménez Cuba's profile, presenting it as its own legitimate information. This "republication" was the piece that allowed international media to pick it up as "unofficial sources", giving it an appearance of legitimacy.
From hospitalization to death: the role of parody
The qualitative leap came when a CiberCuba parody page published a graphic montage claiming that Raúl Castro was dead. This content transformed the initial rumor of hospitalization into a supposed death and was widely shared by users, pages, and influencers, amplifying the hoax to another level. We have already warned about the use of CiberCuba's visual identity and montages in these types of parodies and disinformation in this previous analysis.
A loop of falsehoods
The message was clear:
- An uncredible profile (Ignacio Giménez Cuba) posts about hospitalization (September 22).
- A page that presents itself as a medium (Periódico Patria 1892) replicates it as news (September 23).
- International media cite him as “an unofficial source.”
- The Cuban ecosystem (media, pseudo-media, websites, influencers) uses it as a credential.
- A viral parody elevates it from hospitalization to death.
Thus, what started as a crude rumor ended up circulating as "news" for thousands of people.
An impossible death to hide
The political and symbolic weight of Raúl Castro makes his death impossible to keep secret. A real event would provoke:
- Immediate official communication.
- Diplomatic reactions and global coverage within hours.
- Visible signals within Cuba: solemn events, special programming, mobilizations.
The absence of all these signs confirms that we are facing a baseless rumor.
Why do these rumors emerge?
Psychological: Collective anxiety
For millions of Cubans, the death of Raúl Castro is linked to the possibility of profound changes. This expectation turns any absence into an "indication." The desire does not turn a rumor into truth.
Sociological: the void of hermeticism
The official secrecy surrounding the health of historical leaders creates a void that people fill with speculation. What is not communicated is imagined, and rumors thrive in that fertile ground.
Comparative: the lesson of 2016
With Fidel Castro, the same thing happened: multiple false deaths before the actual one. When it occurred in 2016, the difference was striking: immediate official announcement, global impact, and no doubts. With Raúl Castro, it will be the same: there will be no need for rumors, it will be known.
Hypothesis to consider: rumor as an active measure
It is not unlikely that these rumors are also strategically used as active measures: to distract from internal issues, gauge social reactions, or stir emotions. This hypothesis does not turn the falsehood into truth, but it helps explain its frequency and political timing.
Repeated pattern: the reappearance
Recent history shows a pattern: after waves of rumors, there is often a public appearance that exposes those who spread misinformation without verification. Each repetition erodes the credibility of those amplifying the hoax.
The true news
Today, there is no evidence that Raúl Castro is hospitalized or has died. The real story is how a post lacking credibility became "news" thanks to a series of uncritical shares and a viral parody that escalated it to "death." It is an exemplary case of post-truth: repetition turns into apparent reality what was never true.
Quick verification
- Did Raúl Castro die? — FALSE. There is no evidence or official confirmation.
- Is he hospitalized? — Not confirmed. The only "source" is a discredited profile on social media.
- What would we see if it were real? — Official part, international impact, visible signs in Cuba.
Editorial reminder
- No evidence of death or hospitalization.
- There is no official confirmation.
- The wish of millions cannot be mistaken for the truth.
- Our responsibility is to not amplify falsehoods, but to explain and dismantle them.
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