The Cuban government reported on Monday that the official X account (formerly known as Twitter) of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) was compromised. State-run media outlets like Cubadebate and official government accounts such as the Government of Havana have warned that any posts from the @CubaMINREX profile on X should be regarded as fraudulent.
The official statement advised followers to refrain from trusting information shared from the MINREX account until further notice.
Visible Changes to the Account
Notable alterations to the Foreign Ministry's account include restrictions on posts, which are now accessible only to followers, and the removal of recent posts, including one from the same day. The Cuban government has not provided additional details regarding the steps taken to regain control of the account or the identities of those responsible.
Previous Cyberattack Incident in 2022
This incident adds to a series of similar events in the past. In December 2022, MINREX reported a cyberattack on its official website, which restricted user access for several hours. During that time, authorities disclosed that over 125 sites belonging to Cuban diplomatic missions abroad were rendered offline. Technical issues exposed weaknesses in the Foreign Ministry's server.
MINREX maintained that the integrity of its sites remained intact. The Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, claimed that these attacks were part of "illegal actions" tied to an "unconventional war in the communication and digital spheres" against Cuba.
Significance of the Latest Hack
The hack of MINREX's X account, although limited in scope, highlights once more the vulnerabilities in the Cuban government's digital infrastructure. The incident occurs amid escalating international tensions with Donald Trump returning to the White House for a second term. Meanwhile, Havana continues to assert that these attacks are part of external destabilization campaigns.
Authorities have not disclosed the origin of this hack or the measures that will be implemented to prevent future breaches.
Understanding the Recent Cyberattack on Cuba's Foreign Ministry
What changes were made to the MINREX X account?
The account experienced restrictions on posts, making them visible only to followers, and recent posts, including one from the same day, were deleted.
How does the Cuban government view these cyberattacks?
The Cuban government sees these attacks as part of "illegal actions" associated with an "unconventional war" in communication and digital spheres, aimed at destabilizing the country.
Has MINREX faced similar cyber incidents before?
Yes, in December 2022, MINREX reported a cyberattack that affected its official website and over 125 sites of Cuban diplomatic missions abroad, causing them to go offline temporarily.