The official spokesperson Humberto López stated that "in Cuba, political opponents are not persecuted" and maintained that on the Island there are only people who "commit crimes against state security and other common offenses," in a televised comment aimed at questioning the United States' policy towards Cuba.
The statement was made in a segment presented as “reflection” on what the program describes as a “pretext” from Washington to “escalate” its “political aggression” against Havana.
In that context, the space refers to two American documents: a National Security Strategy from November 2025 and an Executive Order published on January 29, 2026, which —according to the speech itself— declares a "national emergency" and establishes a tariff scheme for imports from countries that "directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba."
During his speech, López listed what he referred to as "pretexts" attributed to the United States to justify the measure: that Cuba would be an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and foreign policy; that it "strategically aligns" with "hostile" states such as Russia, China, and Iran; and that it would provide "political, logistical, security, or other types of support" to those countries.
From that point onward, the spokesperson argued that U.S. structures such as the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) "perfectly know" that Cuba does not pose a threat and that the Cuban military strategy is designed “based on the defense of the nation.” He added that Washington "has not shown" any "real" and "concrete" evidence to support those accusations.
In that same context, López stated that Cuba maintains relationships with "the vast majority" of countries, which are governed by principles of international law.
He stated that the relationships with partners like those mentioned in the order would not be aimed at "developing hostile actions" against the United States, but rather at "commercial," "scientific," or "academic" interests.
It was then that he introduced his assertion about internal dissent: “In Cuba, political opponents are not persecuted,” he said, before insisting that there are individuals sanctioned for “crimes against state security” and for common crimes.
To reinforce his argument, he compared it with historical events in the United States—mentioning the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and John F. Kennedy—and suggested that there were homicides to prevent paths that were "contrary to the interests" of the "deep state."
The intervention also included references to U.S. sanctions policy and its internal economic impact. López described the pressure as "economic war," "prolonged torture," and even labeled it as "extermination," "genocide," and "massacre," while listing consequences associated with shortages of fuel, medication, and medical equipment parts.
The segment concluded by calling to "withstand external pressure," defending the stability and security of the country and referencing a quote attributed to Fidel Castro (2005) about controlling "the minds" through disinformation, in addition to invoking a final phrase where the dictator Castro is said to have stated, "I do not have worse enemies because I believe that all enemies can be defeated."
Debunking Humberto
Just between August 2025 and January 2026, various actions by the Cuban regime demonstrated a sustained pattern of repression and harassment against political dissent, in stark contradiction to Humberto López's claims that "political opponents are not persecuted in Cuba."
In August 2025, during the anniversary of the Maleconazo, the regime prevented several activists and opponents from leaving the country, deploying police operations and summons at Ministry of the Interior stations.
The measure aimed to neutralize any public commemoration of the 1994 protests, remembered for their symbolism of resistance and civic challenge.
Months later, in November 2025, a political prisoner from the 11J left the island after months of harassment and threats.
The opponent reported that "the repression did not end when I was released from prison" and described the atmosphere of constant surveillance faced by those who participated in the protests in July 2021, highlighting the continuation of political persecution beyond incarceration.
By January 2026, the harassment intensified following the new measures from the U.S. administration.
The regime deployed interrogations, forced relocations, and control operations against opponents and independent activists.
These actions, justified under the official discourse of "defending the state's security," coincided with the narrative promoted by spokespeople like Humberto López, who deny the existence of political persecution in Cuba.
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