The Cuban regime has obstructed access to a survey concerning political and social outlooks in Cuba, a project initiated by over 20 independent media outlets, content creators, and activists, as confirmed last Friday by the platform Alas Tensas and journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
Alas Tensas announced on social media, "We can confirm that the link to the political opinion survey of the Cuban people, promoted by over 20 Cuban independent media, content creators, and activists, has been blocked by Cuban authorities."
Despite the blockade, participation from within the island continued unabated: over 7,100 responses originated from Cuba at the time of the report, thanks to technical measures implemented by the team behind the initiative.
Overcoming Digital Barriers
In comments on posts promoting the survey, Cubans reported difficulties accessing the link. Several users noted they could only access it after enabling a VPN, while others sought instructions on how to proceed.
Organizers advised using updated versions of browsers like Chrome, Mozilla, Edge, or Brave, and if access remains blocked, to use a VPN and indicate within the survey that the response is from Cuba. "We will discern this in the subsequent data analysis," they clarified.
Journalist Amelia Calzadilla alerted via her social media: "The survey has surpassed 9,000 participants, yet from within Cuba, we are being informed that it is being blocked."
Voices from Inside Cuba
Mayeta Labrada, reporting from Santiago de Cuba, expressed, "The attempt to silence has not achieved its most crucial goal: to mute the people's voice. Cubans on the island continue to engage, respond, and assert their desire to be heard, despite attempts to hinder them."
The live panel of the survey recorded 12,583 total responses: 7,161 (57%) from within Cuba and 5,422 (43%) from the diaspora, according to anonymous geolocation. By provinces, Havana leads with 3,056 responses (27.1%), followed by Villa Clara (455), Matanzas (404), Holguín (377), and Santiago de Cuba (321).
Survey Findings Indicate Dissatisfaction
Partial results display a widespread disapproval of the government system: 92% of participants express great dissatisfaction with the current model, and trust in the government averages 1.09 out of five. Miguel Díaz-Canel receives the lowest individual rating among evaluated figures, with an average of 1.11 out of five, and 93.7% giving him the minimum score.
Moreover, 75.1% of respondents support transitioning to a liberal democracy with a market economy, whereas support for socialism is negligible: only 1.9% believe in reforming the current model, and a mere 0.1% want to maintain it as is.
The survey, accessible at encuestascuba.net and open until May 1, was launched on April 23 by a coalition led by elTOQUE, with contributions from Rialta, Alas Tensas, and other media outlets. It consists of 32 questions across seven sections, targeting all Cubans, whether they reside on the island or abroad.
This blockade is part of a systematic digital censorship pattern by the regime, positioning Cuba among the four countries with the least internet freedom globally, according to Freedom House. In July 2021, during the 11J protests, the government entirely cut off internet access and blocked social media, a tactic documented by international organizations like NetBlocks and OONI.
"This survey does not aim to be a statistical demographic exercise like one might conduct in a democratic nation. However, every opinion we collect is valuable, and we will amplify them all," concluded Alas Tensas.
Understanding the Cuban Survey Blockade
Why was the survey blocked by the Cuban authorities?
The Cuban authorities blocked the survey as part of a broader pattern of digital censorship, aiming to suppress independent voices and control public opinion on political and social matters.
How can Cubans participate in the survey despite the blockade?
Cubans can participate by using updated web browsers and enabling a VPN to bypass the blockade. It is also recommended to note their location as Cuba within the survey for accurate data analysis.
What do the survey results reveal about Cuban public opinion?
The survey results indicate a strong dissatisfaction with the current government system, with the majority of participants expressing a desire for a transition to a liberal democracy with a market economy.