Humberto López, the host of the propaganda show "Razones de Cuba" on Cuba's National Television, took part in the V International Patria Colloquium on Wednesday. During the event, he and other attendees were seen smiling next to life-sized cardboard cutouts and living statues depicting Fidel Castro.
The colloquium, which ran from April 16 to 18 at the Cultural Station of Línea and 18 in El Vedado, Havana, carried the theme "Patria with Fidel." The gathering was officially opened by President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Wednesday.
Photos shared on Facebook by user Yaquelin González under the hashtag #PatriaWithFidel featured various scenes: one showed a group of six people posing next to a cardboard cutout of a man dressed in a green military uniform, black beret, and beard, surrounded by logos from Sputnik, teleSUR, Cuban Television, and Radio Rebelde. Another image depicted a group with a living statue styled as a revolutionary guerrilla with a rifle and bronze makeup, with banners of the "V International Colloquium" and Granma in the background. A third image captured five individuals alongside a large photographic cutout of a young Fidel Castro sitting on a rock.
One of the panels at the venue displayed a "Biographical Synthesis of Fidel Castro," which included articles penned by Castro during the revolutionary struggle and his more recent writings, spanning over a thousand speeches and interventions from the Cuban Revolution.
The presence of media outlets such as Sputnik, teleSUR, Granma, Cuban Television, and Radio Rebelde underscores the event's character as a platform for state-aligned media in support of the Cuba-Russia-Venezuela axis.
The V Colloquium brought together over 500 participants from more than 20 countries, organized by the Union of Cuban Journalists, Casa de las Américas, and the Cuban Chapter of the Network of Networks in Defense of Humanity.
The event is dedicated to the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth and the 65th anniversary of the victory at Playa Girón, giving it a deeply symbolic significance for the regime.
López has been labeled a "violent oppressor" by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba for his smear campaigns against independent journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
In November 2025, the host accused the independent outlet El Toque of operating a "currency trafficking" and "economic warfare" scheme funded by the United States, presenting personal dossiers with photos and data of 18 alleged directors of the outlet on his show without evidence.
His involvement in the Patria Colloquium aligns with his role as a spokesperson for the Cuban state's media machinery, an event critics have described as official propaganda disguised as an academic debate on communication.
The concluding keynote of the V Colloquium, scheduled for this Friday, is titled "The Word Made Revolution: Fidel and Communication."
Key Questions About the V International Patria Colloquium
What is the theme of the V International Patria Colloquium?
The theme of the V International Patria Colloquium is "Patria with Fidel," focusing on celebrating Fidel Castro's legacy and his contributions to the Cuban Revolution.
Who organized the V International Patria Colloquium?
The event was organized by the Union of Cuban Journalists, Casa de las Américas, and the Cuban Chapter of the Network of Networks in Defense of Humanity.
Why is Humberto López considered controversial?
Humberto López is considered controversial due to his role in smear campaigns against independent journalists and activists, and for his unfounded accusations against media outlets like El Toque.