The Cuban journalist José Jasán Nieves Cárdenas, head of the independent media outlet El Toque, issued a powerful statement on Facebook this Sunday. In it, he once again condemns the increasing harassment by the regime and publicly reaffirms his political commitment to democracy in Cuba.
This declaration comes amidst an unprecedented media offensive, involving allegations of "financial terrorism," attempts to fabricate criminal charges, and acts of repudiation outside the island.
"I want the end of the dictatorship in Cuba. I work to change the existing political regime and bring democracy, justice, and prosperity to my native country," Nieves stated. He emphasized that the government is trying to silence him through smear campaigns and pressure on his team.
The statement by Nieves follows accusations made by government spokesman Humberto López on national television. López accused him of leading a "financial terrorism" scheme, allegedly responsible for "depressing the standard of living of Cubans." He even suggested initiating criminal proceedings against members of the media outlet and adding them to the "national list of terrorists."
The regime bases these accusations on El Toque's work monitoring Cuba's informal currency exchange rate, an economic reference millions of Cubans rely on daily amid the collapse of the official exchange system.
The government is attempting to blame the platform for inflation and devaluation, despite the fact that the ongoing crisis is a result of the failed economic model applied for decades.
"I Do Not Take Orders": Personal Defiance Against Harassment
Nieves responded by highlighting that the regime has been trying to fabricate a criminal case against his team for over a year, even resorting to interrogation sessions at Villa Marista and manipulating testimonies to present as "evidence" on television.
In his message, the director of El Toque insists that he does not hide his political views or objectives, but rejects the notion that this requires resorting to lies or manipulation.
"I've always had an issue with authority. I do not take orders or follow militant discipline," he declared, while defending his team's professional and verified work.
The journalist added that he embraces "all attacks" and gathers "all support," stating that his greatest privilege is the talented people he works with. "We will not be silenced," he concluded.
Exported Acts of Repudiation: Assault in Mexico
The hostility against Nieves is not confined to Cuba. Recently, he was targeted in an act of repudiation in Mexico, organized by Castro sympathizers linked to the so-called Mexican Movement of Solidarity with Cuba.
There, he was insulted, accused of "financing terrorism" and "sabotaging the Cuban economy," and alleged to have received "over $500,000" to incite the island's economic collapse.
The incident, captured on video and shared by the journalist himself, sparked outrage among activists and colleagues, who denounced the exportation of intimidation tactics utilized by the regime within Cuba.
For Nieves, the offensive against El Toque is no coincidence but occurs amidst the worst economic deterioration the country has experienced in decades.
According to the journalist, the regime attempts to blame independent journalism for a crisis of its own making.
"It is the only way the Cuban government can respond to citizens' demands given its inability to manage the crisis," he wrote.
Meanwhile, the media outlet he leads remains under threat of being accused of non-existent crimes in Cuban legislation, such as "economic terrorism."
Understanding the Harassment of Independent Media in Cuba
What is El Toque accused of by the Cuban regime?
El Toque is accused by the Cuban regime of leading a "financial terrorism" scheme and is blamed for economic issues like inflation and devaluation, following their monitoring of the informal currency exchange rate.
How has José Jasán Nieves Cárdenas responded to these accusations?
Nieves has publicly condemned the accusations as part of a smear campaign to silence him and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting democracy and justice in Cuba. He also emphasized his refusal to follow orders or engage in deceitful practices.
What incident occurred in Mexico involving José Jasán Nieves?
In Mexico, Nieves was subjected to an act of repudiation by Castro sympathizers, where he faced accusations of financing terrorism and sabotaging the Cuban economy, which was part of the regime's broader intimidation tactics.