Recently, social media accounts either directly or indirectly associated with Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT) have ramped up their dissemination of alleged anti-drug operations across various Cuban provinces. This appears to be a coordinated official propaganda campaign designed to project an image of control and effectiveness in tackling a growing nationwide problem.
Pages such as Con Todos La Victoria, Verdades a Través del Móvil, Héroes de Azul, and Guantánamo y su Verdad—all aligned with the regime's repressive narrative—are publishing daily reports of arrests, seizures, and strikes against drug trafficking. These reports are often laden with triumphalist language, political slogans, and calls for citizens to report suspicious activities.
In Matanzas, for instance, the account Con Todos La Victoria announced the arrest of a 29-year-old man at the Bacunayagua bridge for allegedly possessing paper fragments soaked in synthetic cannabinoids. The post, dripping with sarcasm and ridicule aimed at the detainee, touts this incident as a significant "blow" to drug trafficking, yet it fails to provide independent evidence or information regarding due process.
In Camagüey, Verdades a Través del Móvil reported the arrest of four individuals on a public street, as well as a couple allegedly involved in selling "chemicals." These reports highlight the seizure of money and substances but lack verifiable data, do not clearly identify the accused, and offer no assurances about the transparency of the investigations.
Meanwhile, in Guantánamo, another official account celebrated the capture of an individual nicknamed "El Míster" following an anonymous tip. The narrative portrayed him as "caught and well caught," emphasizing an exemplary punishment narrative that leans more towards public humiliation than objective reporting.
Propaganda Over Real Solutions
Despite the regime's claims of waging an "all-out war" against drugs, the widespread use of substances like the so-called "chemical" reveals a structural issue that authorities have failed to address. Economic collapse, lack of opportunities, social breakdown, and the absence of genuine preventive policies have created fertile ground that cannot be remedied through isolated operations or Facebook campaigns.
Moreover, the focus on showcasing arrests starkly contrasts with the lack of transparency: there is no information on sentences, larger networks, or institutional accountability. It's also not explained how these substances circulate so freely in a country where the state tightly controls borders, ports, and trade.
Meanwhile, the MININT-affiliated profiles boast about operations, glorify the repressive forces, and shift responsibility to citizens, urging them to report and instill fear, without acknowledging the failure of state policies that have led to unprecedented social decay.
Rather than a comprehensive strategy against drugs, what is evident is a communication offensive by the regime, aimed at reinforcing its image of control at a time when insecurity, substance abuse, and despair are escalating on Cuba's streets.
Understanding Cuba's Anti-Drug Operations
What is the role of social media in Cuba's anti-drug operations?
Social media accounts linked to the Cuban regime are being used to propagate messages of control and effectiveness in anti-drug operations, often lacking verifiable information and transparency.
Why is there criticism of these anti-drug operations?
Criticism arises from the lack of transparency, independent verification, and the emphasis on propaganda over addressing the root causes of drug issues, such as economic and social collapse.
What challenges does Cuba face in controlling drug trafficking?
Cuba struggles with economic collapse, social instability, and ineffective preventive policies, making it difficult to control drug trafficking despite state control over borders and trade.