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Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), posted this Wednesday on his Facebook profile a series of photos in which he is seen enjoying a soup on an improvised stove in the street, at the corner of 5th and 162, in Playa municipality, Havana, which triggered a wave of criticism, contrasting his festive image with the serious crisis that Cuba is experiencing.
Alongside the text "This picket is a fixed point at 5th and 162, Playa. Today I was invited to have caldosa," the post quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, where many users pointed out the disconnect between the image of the official and the daily reality of millions of Cubans facing food shortages, blackouts, and widespread deterioration.
The post quickly sparked a wave of reactions, mostly critical, where numerous users questioned the gesture of the former spy in the midst of the crisis the country is facing. Comments like “the country is getting worse every day” and “how many people to work in agriculture or fix the potholes” reflected the discontent of those who view such scenes as disconnected from the daily reality of Cubans.
Others were more harsh and pointed out what they see as a contradiction between the image projected and the general situation in the country. “Doing nothing and producing nothing, just wasting time like many Cubans” or “a sign that there is no work being done in Cuba” were some of the criticisms, along with more direct questions such as “what's the difference between you and them,” referring to the contrast in conditions between the leader and the rest of the group.
There were also many references to the political system and social control structures, with direct mentions of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and accusations of "informants" or "lazy people." Some comments were even more explicit in their rejection: "a tremendous group of lazy individuals" or "from that crew, it's clear that you are the only one with food in your house," highlighting the discontent over inequalities and precariousness.
Among the messages, one summarized the feelings of many: “this is how the entire dictatorship is living in a fantasy while the country is falling apart,” a phrase that encapsulates the contrast perceived by numerous Cubans between the official narrative and the real difficulties they face daily, marked by scarcity, blackouts, and the general decline of living conditions.
It is not the first time that Hernández Nordelo has sparked controversy on social media. Just a few days ago, he posted a photo of the Capitol with the text "Beautiful Havana", an image that also drew criticism for overlooking the state of disrepair in which the Cuban capital finds itself.
The pattern often repeats itself. Recently, he shared a video of Cubans dancing after a political event, a post that many interpreted as a sign of insensitivity to the hardships faced by the population.
Among the most memorable episodes is the moment when he posed with a PKM machine gun, claiming readiness for war, an image that generated widespread digital backlash. It also sparked discontent when he was seen in a bicitaxi in La Güinera, which many labeled as an unconvincing attempt to connect with the people.
Meanwhile, the energy situation in Cuba remains critical, with blackouts that still exceed a deficit of 1,000 megawatts during peak nighttime hours, making the festive images of the national coordinator of the CDR particularly infuriating for a population exhausted by the blackouts and shortages.
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