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Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and former Cuban spy, responded this Thursday on Facebook to the wave of criticism sparked by a video showing him drinking at the Hotel Nacional in Havana, without apologizing and with an argument that fueled further outrage: his 16 years in prison in the United States give him the right to do whatever he wants, in addition to living in a free country, according to him.
Far from acknowledging the contrast between his discourse on sacrifice and his enjoyment in one of the most exclusive establishments in Cuba, Hernández openly asserted his lifestyle: “After spending 16 years in prison, now — like Silvio — I live in a free country, and if I want, I can have a coffee or a drink with whoever invites me, and wherever they invite me. Get your wallets ready, because there will be more videos.”
The message, posted on his Facebook page, began with a quote from the late Hugo Chávez — "an eagle does not hunt flies" — and then directly targeted his critics in Miami, whom he called "the kid with the surgeries" and accused of "supporting our economy in these difficult times by buying us 'Made in Cuba' video clips."
The video that sparked the controversy was shared by journalist Mario Vallejo and shows Hernández at the Hotel Nacional along with his wife, three children, and a man he refers to as "uncle X," on May 22, 2026, the same day he was the sole speaker at the political event called by the regime at the José Martí Anti-imperialist Tribune on the Havana Malecón.
In that event, Hernández called on the Cuban people for "resistance and dedication" and defended Raúl Castro, who has been criminally charged by the U.S. Department of Justice on May 20 for the downing of planes belonging to Brothers to the Rescue in 1996.
Hernández appears in the hotel video wearing the same shirt he had on during the event, which confirms that the images are from the same day.
Vallejo claimed to have the video "from beginning to end" and pointed out that Hernández never paid the bill: "Here you can see how the elite mocks the average Cuban, drinking and smoking while thousands return home to find insufficient food, water, or electricity."
Hernández's response only fueled the scandal. Thousands of Cubans reacted with outrage on social media, and the most commonly repeated phrase was "Anyone can endure like this," alongside terms like "hypocrisy," "double standards," "privileges," and "audacity."
This is not the first time that Hernández has been at the center of such a contrast. In June 2020, he was criticized for wearing a Rolex watch valued at approximately 9,830 dollars while urging the CDR to produce food to alleviate the shortage.
In July of that same year, he was once again the target of memes when he asked each committee to plant at least one pumpkin or one pineapple.
In June 2025, he traveled to Italy shortly after describing Europe as a "failed continent," and in May 2026, he faced criticism for boasting about Cubans dancing at the May 1st events amid allegations of "bread and circuses."
The pattern is recurring: Hernández preaches austerity and sacrifice for the people while enjoying privileges that are inaccessible to the majority of Cubans who suffer from power outages, food shortages, and lack of water. His response this Thursday, instead of settling the controversy, summarized it with one phrase: "Prepare your wallets, there will be more videos."
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