During the closing of the Fourth National Cybersecurity Conference, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz issued a warning about what he described as the "subversive use" of social media, accusing these platforms of attempting to undermine the revolution.
With Yudi Mercedes Rodríguez Hernández of the Communist Party's Central Committee by his side, Marrero reiterated the notion that digital discourse is part of external "threats," as reported by state television.
The Prime Minister noted that the event occurred under "exceptional circumstances" due to the intensified embargo and the impact of Hurricane Melisa, using these as a backdrop to call for combating the "fake news" generated daily.
Marrero emphasized the importance of enhancing public awareness to identify risks, suggesting it should become a crucial aspect of citizens' behavior.
He assured that both the State and the Government are giving "special attention" to cybersecurity, expressing trust in the attendees' preparedness to ensure a "safe and responsible" use of digital technologies.
At the conference's conclusion, the general rapporteur highlighted the presentation of 34 papers and discussions on technological solutions and best practices aimed at strengthening the nation's digital security.
Marrero's remarks reinforced the government's stance of labeling any critical content as political hostility, supporting the official discourse on the need for increased control over Cuba's digital landscape.
The Cuban government has launched an aggressive smear campaign against independent journalists and media, utilizing its state propaganda machinery to criminalize free journalism.
On November 26, the pro-government site Cubadebate identified 30 social media accounts as part of an alleged "cognitive warfare organized by the international far-right," a narrative echoed by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, official media like Granma, and the "Razones de Cuba" program hosted by spokesperson Humberto López.
The digital outlet elTOQUE has become a primary target, criticized for publishing the Informal Market Representative Rate, which highlights the regime’s economic failures and its inability to establish an official, orderly, and transparent currency exchange market.
"Razones de Cuba" published personal profiles of 18 alleged "executives" of elTOQUE with photos and information, accusing them of being "mercenaries" and threatening them with legal investigations, potential extradition, and imprisonment.
This strategy aims to equate journalism with treason using labels like "media terrorists" and "international far-right," reminiscent of the 2003 Black Spring when 27 journalists were imprisoned.
CiberCuba, also targeted in these attacks, refuted the accusations, asserting that "denouncing repression, hunger, and inequality is not far-right; it's resistance against the dictatorship."
The outlet reaffirmed that independent journalism serves the public interest and vowed to continue reporting on the realities the regime seeks to conceal through digital media lynching intended to foster a climate of fear to justify its political and economic failures.
Understanding the Cuban Government's Digital Control Tactics
What was the main message of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz during the cybersecurity conference?
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz emphasized the threat of "subversive" use of social media and stressed the need to combat fake news while highlighting the government's focus on cybersecurity.
How is the Cuban government targeting independent media and journalists?
The government has launched a smear campaign against independent media and journalists, labeling them as "mercenaries" and accusing them of being part of a "cognitive warfare" organized by international far-right groups.
Why is elTOQUE targeted by the Cuban government?
elTOQUE is targeted for publishing the Informal Market Representative Rate, which exposes the economic failures of the Cuban regime and its inability to establish a transparent currency market.