The Cuban regime launched a media offensive this Wednesday against the independent outlet El Toque, accusing it of being involved in an alleged scheme of “financial terrorism” and “economic warfare” against the island.
In the government program Razones de Cuba, hosted by Humberto López, the regime's spokesperson recalled statements made by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who on October 29 at the UN asserted that there was “evidence of speculative manipulation of the exchange rate.”
López directly accused El Toque of “depressing the income level of the Cuban population.”
“El Toque is a creature born and developed to rapidly depress our standard of living,” he stated and suggested the possibility of taking legal action against the outlet for “financial terrorism.” Additionally, he proposed including it on a national list of entities “linked to terrorism”.
"I am considering the possibility of opening criminal proceedings against individuals for whom there is evidence and proof that we will continue to present," threatened the host.
Humberto López stated that he is not an economist and asserted that he speaks "from his position as a Cuban." He took the opportunity to accuse El Toque of "responding to an unconventional warfare strategy," of "promoting a currency trafficking scheme" in the country, and of committing "tax evasion in Cuba."
The regime, as is usual in these cases, emphasized that the independent outlet receives funding from U.S. agencies such as the State Department, USAID, NED, and the Global Media Office.
The spokesperson stated three times that the video "is not a campaign against independent media." However, he urged Cubans to "stop trusting El Toque" and demanded that the State "regain control of the exchange rate," which is currently determined by the informal market and disseminated by that platform.
Accusations come amid the economic collapse that Cuba is experiencing, with rampant inflation and a national peso that is increasingly devalued, while the government tries to blame external actors and independent journalism for the crisis created by its own economic model.
Filed under:
