A deceptive post, falsely utilizing CiberCuba's branding to announce Raúl Castro's alleged death, spread rapidly on Instagram this Thursday. Garnering thousands of reactions and hundreds of comments, the post was publicly debunked by CiberCuba.
The post originated from the account @luismolina_tattoo with the caption "See to believe, they will later say it's a lie," quickly gaining attention among Cuban users both on and off the island.
CiberCuba's official Instagram account promptly addressed the viral post in the comments section with a clear message: "FAKE NEWS USING OUR IMAGE: delete this fake post."
User reactions ranged from humor and disbelief to wishing the false news were true. The post's author commented, "Cuba in mourning, dad died," to which another user replied, "God hears you." Skeptics expressed doubt, with one user stating, "Nonsense, he's capable of pulling this stunt to escape."
Frequent Misuse of CiberCuba's Identity for Fake News
Fraudulent use of CiberCuba's visual identity aims to create confusion, spark viral debates, and tarnish the outlet's reputation. The rule of thumb for spotting these hoaxes is straightforward: if the news isn't present on CiberCuba's official platforms, it's fabricated.
In September 2025, CiberCuba dismantled an identical hoax that followed a documented amplification chain: an untrustworthy profile claimed Castro had been urgently hospitalized. Another page, posing as a media outlet, replicated this content, reaching even international media, which cited it as "unofficial sources." Finally, a parody account mimicking CiberCuba's format escalated the "hospitalization" to "death."
The rumor's creator, Ignacio Giménez, admitted to deliberately fabricating it, calling it a "test" to gauge media reliability. A similar incident occurred in September 2024 with manipulated and fake images.
Climate of Misinformation Amid Health Speculations
The current environment is especially fertile for spreading misinformation. On May 1, Raúl Castro appeared visibly weakened at Havana's José Martí Anti-Imperialist Platform, presiding over the Workers' Day event alongside Díaz-Canel. This was his first public appearance in five months.
Previously, his last appearance was on December 2, 2025, at the National Assembly's final session, where he was described as frail and having difficulty walking.
In March 2026, Castro's absence from the 9th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party reignited speculation about his health. In April 2026, Díaz-Canel informed Telesur that Raúl Castro was "alive but retired due to health reasons" and described him as "frail due to advanced age."
Understanding the Spread of Fake News about Raúl Castro
How does CiberCuba identify fake news?
CiberCuba advises that if a news story does not appear on their official platforms, it is likely fabricated.
What was the reaction to the false news about Raúl Castro?
Reactions ranged from humor and skepticism to expressions of disbelief and wishes that the news were true.
Why is there a fertile ground for disinformation about Raúl Castro?
Raúl Castro's visibly weakened public appearances and prolonged absences have heightened speculation about his health, creating a conducive environment for misinformation.