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Dozens of people from Santiago gathered from the early hours of the morning on this Saturday, December 6, 2025, around the Santiago Hotel in Santiago de Cuba, after false information circulated on social media promising assistance of $1,100 from a Spanish internet user, a claim that was later officially denied by the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR).
According to the report by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, neighbors and passersby began to arrive "discreetly" from various neighborhoods, many unsure if it was real, but driven by the expectation of receiving some sort of financial help.
Several people sat on sidewalks, benches, and areas near the hotel as the flow of people increased, quickly drawing the attention of the authorities.
The reporter points out that, within minutes, police patrols were sent to the area to try to "control" the situation, although the presence of officers did not stop more people from arriving.
In light of the growing commotion in both Santiago and Havana, the MINTUR issued a statement completely denying the alleged distribution of money and attributing the rumor to false information spread by the Spaniard Ignacio Giménez, whom the report accuses of propagating the promise of the 1,100 dollars.
Mayeta, in a strong response to Giménez's surreal messages, frames the episode as a demonstration of the desperation and vulnerability of the population in a crisis context, where a rumor can mobilize hundreds of people seeking immediate economic relief.
"Ignacio Giménez has just stated, without any shame, that he lies on purpose, that he consciously manipulates collective emotions, and that he plays with the despair of the Cuban people as if it were a piece of political laboratory. His own words condemn him more than any criticism," wrote Mayeta.
In its assessment, the fact also highlights the social climate created by the lack of transparency and the speed at which misinformation spreads in a country where daily needs turn any announcement into a source of hope, even when there is no official confirmation.
In turn, he accuses the Spaniard of manipulating the people and playing with their emotions.
"Ignacio openly acknowledges that he raised expectations that he knew would end in monumental disappointment, with the sole objective of 'stirring up' the people. That is not leadership; that is experimenting with the needs of the people," he warned.
A similar phenomenon occurred this Saturday in Havana, where "hundreds" gathered in front of the Habana Libre Hotel after the same rumor spread about a distribution of 1,100 dollars and the supposed arrival of "teams identified by yellow pullovers" that ultimately did not appear.
The scene, captured on video, showed people waiting in confusion as the crowd grew and traffic slowed down in the area, until MINTUR denied the information.
Who is Ignacio Giménez?
Ignacio Giménez is a Spanish youtuber/content creator who has become well-known on social media for posting messages and live streams about Cuba, often featuring "bombshell" announcements (plans to "liberate" the island, supposed operations, or revelations) that go viral quickly.
He has been criticized for spreading unverifiable claims and for making grandiose promises that are later unfulfilled.
The independent media elTOQUE dedicated a critical profile that challenges his credibility and the pattern of making promises and not keeping them. elTOQUE
Most recently, he circulated a rumor about Raúl Castro that Giménez himself admitted to having fabricated, describing it as a “test” to evaluate media and websites.
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