Humberto López Claims Political Opponents Are Not Persecuted in Cuba

State mouthpiece Humberto López has stated that "political opponents are not persecuted in Cuba," asserting that those on the island are actually individuals who "commit crimes against state security and other common offenses." His comments were made during a televised segment criticizing the United States' policy towards Cuba.

This statement was delivered in a segment presented as a "reflection" on what the show describes as a "pretext" used by Washington to "escalate" its "political aggression" against Havana.

Within this context, the segment referenced two U.S. documents: a National Security Strategy from November 2025 and an Executive Order published on January 29, 2026. According to López, these documents declare a "national emergency" and establish a tariff scheme for imports from countries that "directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba."

During his broadcast, López outlined what he called "pretexts" attributed to the United States for justifying the measure: classifying Cuba as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and foreign policy, claiming strategic alignment with "hostile" states such as Russia, China, and Iran, and providing "political, logistical, security, or other" support to these countries.

He argued that American entities like the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) are "fully aware" that Cuba is not a threat, insisting that Cuba's military strategy is designed "on the basis of national defense." López added that Washington has "failed to present" any "real" and "concrete" evidence to support these accusations.

Continuing his defense, López claimed that Cuba maintains relations with "the vast majority" of countries, governed by international law principles. He emphasized that relationships with partners mentioned in the order are not aimed at "developing hostile actions" against the United States but serve "commercial," "scientific," or "academic" interests.

It was in this context that he made his claim about internal dissent: "political opponents are not persecuted in Cuba," he said, reiterating that sanctions are imposed for "crimes against state security" and common offenses.

To bolster his argument, López drew comparisons with historical events in the United States, citing the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and John F. Kennedy, suggesting these were murders to prevent paths "contrary to the interests" of the "deep state."

The broadcast also included references to U.S. sanctions policy and its internal economic impact. López described the pressure as "economic warfare," "prolonged torture," and went as far as calling it "extermination," "genocide," and "massacre," listing consequences tied to shortages of fuel, medicine, and medical equipment parts.

The segment concluded by urging the public to "resist external pressure," defending the country's stability and security and citing a quote attributed to Fidel Castro (2005) about controlling "minds" through misinformation. It closed with a final phrase attributed to Castro, stating, "I have no worse enemies because I believe all enemies can be defeated."

Contradicting Humberto López's Claims

Between August 2025 and January 2026, various actions by the Cuban regime demonstrated a persistent pattern of repression and harassment against political dissent, directly contradicting Humberto López's assertion that "political opponents are not persecuted in Cuba."

In August 2025, during the anniversary of the Maleconazo, the regime prevented several activists and dissidents from leaving the country, deploying police operations and issuing summons to Ministry of Interior stations. This measure sought to quash any public commemoration of the 1994 protests, remembered for their symbolism of resistance and citizen defiance.

Months later, in November 2025, a former political prisoner from the July 11 protests left the island after months of harassment and threats. The dissident reported that "the repression did not end when I left prison," describing the constant surveillance faced by those involved in the July 2021 demonstrations, highlighting the ongoing political persecution beyond imprisonment.

By January 2026, harassment intensified following new measures by the U.S. administration. The regime conducted interrogations, forced relocations, and control operations against dissidents and independent activists.

These actions, justified under the official discourse of "state security defense," aligned with the narrative promoted by spokespersons like Humberto López, who deny the existence of political persecution in Cuba.