Cubans of different generations in the streets of Matanzas dared to speak before a camera without hiding their identity, asserting unequivocally that they live under a dictatorship.
The content creator Emmanuel H. Castillo published a reel on Instagram in which he explores the city and records testimonies that depict decades of repression, fear, and shattered dreams.
In response to the direct question of whether Cuba is a dictatorship, a young man answers without hesitation: "It is 100%. Cuba is a dictatorship and I am 100% sure of it. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar."
The young man adds a detail in his complaint that summarizes how the system works: "The most important positions are filled not based on intellectual abilities, but rather on one's ability to flatter the regime. The more you praise the Communist Party (PCC), the greater the chance you have of leading in this country."
The voice of an elder adds a historical perspective: "Cuba has always been a dictatorship. Always, and in some ways very disguised at the beginning."
The interviewee recalls that from the early years of the regime, citizens were prohibited from participating in the church, there were political prisoners, and even denunciations among family members.
"There was a significant family division in Cuba. There was betrayal among children and siblings, and with mothers at the beginning. Many had to leave because of their political beliefs."
It also describes the most enduring control mechanism of the government: "A very significant vocal censorship, a gag that was created very intelligently."
The consequences, he says, persist to this day: "Today we have this problem of fear to speak up and say things. This has created many psychological issues and traumas in people, even if they don't show it."
The video is produced in a context of documented repression. In February 2026, the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press recorded 128 assaults against freedom of expression in a single month, labeling it a "surge in repression."
Matanzas, the city where the video was filmed, has recently been a backdrop for this repression: the removal of graffiti with the word "Libertad," hacking of activists' accounts, and ideological pressure on workers who are forced to sign documents in support of the regime under threat of dismissal.
However, the deepening of the crisis seems to be eroding fear among segments of the population. More than 300 Cubans and organizations signed an urgent call in January 2026 for the release of political prisoners, and spontaneous protests have multiplied in various parts of the island.
The most powerful phrase from Castillo's video encapsulates the sentiment of those who no longer remain silent: "Here, you can't do anything; everything is severely limited."
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