The National Television of Cuba dedicated a segment of the Noticiero Estelar this Saturday to refute the rumor about a supposed distribution of 1,100 dollars per person in hotels across the country following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
They cited an official statement from the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) that described the information as “completely false” and urged the public and the media not to spread content that could create confusion.
The official report included a warning message, delivered in an unusually aggressive tone. “These types of publications that aim to create unrest come from people who profit and make mockery of the reality of the Cuban people. They do so even with nonsensical arguments,” the presenter stated.
What the Cuban government thinks of Ignacio Giménez
This is the first time that the Cuban Television News has publicly referred to Ignacio Giménez, though without identifying him. They portray him as a "fantastical character," an individual who spreads lies with the aim of creating discomfort and confusion among the population.
"This rumor and other fanciful statements from the same individual raise suspicions of some psychiatric or psychological condition that leads him to lie about topics bordering on the absurd. Therefore, in light of news like that promoted by the gentleman, such as money gifts in hotels, it's better to be skeptical or disregard the profile," said the host.
The Cuban government perceives him as a spreader of rumors, a provocateur, and an unstable figure. They attempt to destroy his credibility through ridicule and public stigmatization, but in no case did they mention his name, in order to avoid giving him notoriety.
Hundreds of Cubans flocked to hotels, hoping to receive the 1,100 dollars
Since early Saturday morning, hundreds of citizens gathered in front of state-run hotels, convinced that they would receive the financial assistance promised last week by Giménez.
The Spanish influencer is known on social media for spreading falsehoods about Cuba, including the alleged death of Raúl Castro, something that he openly admitted to doing.
Regarding the assistance, it had been announced that starting at 8:00 AM on Saturday, there would be “teams with yellow pullovers” in the hotels who would distribute funds to each person presenting their identity card, and state television would cover the event.
The completely false news spread quickly through Facebook and WhatsApp groups. This caused crowding and forced the Ministry of Tourism to issue an urgent statement denying the information.
Giménez responds and boasts about the impact of the rumor
Hours after the official denial, Ignacio Giménez replied from his Facebook account, asserting: “The end justifies the means… Let's see if the third time's the charm and some learn to place me. I am in an imaginative and non-conformist opposition that seeks unexplored paths because the known ones do not provide a solution.”
His statements confirm his intention to provoke and manipulate public attention, despite the social consequences of the rumor.
This new episode highlights not only the desperation prevailing in Cuba but also the fragility of official communication, where the regime's lack of transparency and information censorship create the perfect environment for misinformation to spread and deceive a populace exhausted by scarcity, hunger, and hopelessness.
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