The Cuban government's official account on X released a satirical video this Thursday, targeting Marco Rubio and U.S. policies towards Cuba. The video is mockingly titled "Lessons in Democracy."
Running just over two minutes, this piece by Aguaje Films features a puppet in a blue suit and red tie, labeled as "MR BLOND WORM," seated at a desk adorned with American flags. The thumbnail cleverly mimics the design of the White House, replacing it with "THE BLOND HOUSE / FLORIDA" in a humorous nod to Trump's blonde hair and his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The narration, delivered in a tutorial style, outlines five steps allegedly used by the U.S. government to prepare for a military intervention in Cuba: imposing fuel sanctions, allowing the population to suffer, offering humanitarian aid to appear benevolent, fabricating a pretext, and finally, sending an aircraft carrier.
"Let the people suffer alone. 25 hours without electricity, water, or medicine, and they'll think it's the Cuban government's fault, which is a bit of our plan," the video narrates.
The content draws parallels between the supposed pretext for intervening in Cuba and the justification for the Iraq invasion: "In Iraq, it was weapons of mass destruction; then they said there was nothing, but we were already there. That's how it works!"
The video concludes with a statement summarizing the regime's narrative: "And remember, you must always defend freedom, even if you have to extinguish it first."
This propagandistic response from the regime comes amid intense diplomatic pressure from Washington. On May 20th—Cuba's Independence Day—Rubio released a video in Spanish to the Cuban people, marking his first such address as Secretary of State, offering $100 million in food and medical aid, contingent upon its distribution by the Catholic Church, not GAESA.
Rubio asserted that GAESA controls $18 billion in assets and 70% of the Cuban economy, declaring, "Cuba is not controlled by any revolution. Cuba is controlled by GAESA."
On the same day, the Department of Justice filed a historic federal indictment against Raúl Castro for the February 24, 1996, shooting down of Brothers to the Rescue planes, resulting in the deaths of four Cuban-Americans.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused Rubio of repeating a "deceptive script" and acting as a "spokesman for corrupt interests," while Díaz-Canel described May 20th as a symbol of "intervention, interference, dispossession, and frustration," calling supporters of the Secretary of State's message "mercenaries of dishonor."
The regime's video directly references current debate topics: fuel sanctions, the offer of Wi-Fi and Starlink included in Rubio's message, the report of acquiring over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran as a "fabricated pretext," and the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Caribbean.
This communication escalation is part of a maximum pressure strategy deployed by the Trump administration since May 1, when Executive Order 14404 was signed, introducing new sanctions. June 5 was set as the deadline for foreign companies linked to GAESA to sever ties or face secondary sanctions announced by Rubio on May 7.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Regime's Propaganda Video
What is the purpose of the satirical video released by the Cuban government?
The video aims to mock Marco Rubio and U.S. policies towards Cuba, presenting a satirical narrative on how the U.S. allegedly prepares for military intervention.
How does the video portray U.S. intervention tactics in Cuba?
The video outlines a five-step process, including imposing sanctions, allowing suffering, offering aid, fabricating a pretext, and deploying military forces.
What recent U.S. actions have heightened tensions with Cuba?
Recent tensions have escalated due to the Trump administration's new sanctions, the U.S.'s offer of aid contingent on non-GAESA distribution, and a federal indictment against Raúl Castro.