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Amid the Cuban regime's call to "defend" the official journalist Arleen Rodríguez Derivet following the controversy over her comments about José Martí and electricity, fellow state media communicator Oliver Zamora Oria erupted on social media this Wednesday against those who have criticized the host of Mesa Redonda.
"They lack dignity and courage," Zamora wrote in a heated post on Facebook, where he lashed out at those who questioned Rodríguez, calling them "vermin" and "haters" incapable of "pointing out the true culprits of the country's misfortunes."
The journalist —correspondent for RT en Español in Havana and a regular defender of Castro's propaganda— stated that he felt “paralyzed and moved” by the expressions of solidarity towards Rodríguez, whom he described as “a professional mother who gave me life.”
"Arleen Rodríguez Derivet is either loved or not, and if you don't feel that way, then you either don't know her or the problem is with you," wrote the state communicator in a message that is part of the official narrative's media offensive to contain the scandal affecting the public image of one of its most recognized figures.
In her post, Zamora accused critics of "bringing back an interview from months ago" and of manipulating Rodríguez's words to "attack a principled woman."
He also accused the Cubans who criticize her of cowardice for not confronting —according to him— American politicians such as Marco Rubio, María Elvira Salazar, or Carlos Giménez.
"Since they lack the guts or whatever they have between their legs to target the real culprits of our misfortunes, it's easier for them to shoot at a decent woman," Zamora stated in his post, filled with insults and a visceral tone.
The journalist and Rodríguez have faced criticism on social media after images surfaced of them enjoying time in Moscow and meeting with Vladimir Putin, which has reignited the debate on the privileges of official communicators in contrast to the widespread poverty in Cuba.
The Zamora outbreak occurs at a time when state media are trying to rally around Arleen Rodríguez, who in an interview justified the blackouts on the island by stating that José Martí was a genius and never had electricity.
This Tuesday, the reporter broke her silence and stated that she "never cited Martí" during the controversial interview with former Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa.
Rodríguez stated that the phrase was "said lightly" and that she has already publicly apologized.
The regime has turned the incident into a campaign for the "defense of the revolution" on social media, coinciding with the birthday of José Martí and the official celebration of the March of the Torches.
Several state media outlets and government spokespersons characterized the criticism of Rodríguez as part of a “discrediting operation promoted from abroad.”
However, Zamora's own comments—laden with sexist, aggressive language and contempt for dissidents—have sparked new adverse reactions, even among Cubans who once sympathized with the official press.
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