Marking the fifth anniversary of the significant protests on July 11, 2021, former Cuban spy Gerardo Hernández Nordelo used his Facebook profile to share a notable image from those demonstrations. His aim was to ridicule the media that covered the popular uprising, revealing that the woman pictured with a raised fist is his sister, a member of the Communist Party of Cuba.
In his Facebook post, Hernández explained that the photo, captured by photographer Ismael Francisco, "went viral on that July 11" and was used by what he terms as "misinformation outlets" as a symbol of the protests against the regime.
"Accustomed to lying about the island's events, they couldn't resist and turned my sister, Mai-Lin Alberty, now the Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Cerro, into an 'opponent.' She is—like the haters would say—'a die-hard communist!'" Hernández wrote, adding hashtags like #CDRCuba, #CubaNoSeRinde, and #TumbaElBloqueo.
However, international media also covered the regime's orchestrated demonstrations, which were a reaction to the social explosion, highlighting how Hernández's narrative conveniently skews the true scope of July 11.
Media Manipulation and Public Perception
Hernández's post attempts to discredit independent media that covered July 11, but it ultimately underscores the chaos that engulfed Cuban streets that day.
Thousands of citizens from varied backgrounds took to the streets to protest against the regime in what were the largest demonstrations seen on the island in decades. The regime responded with paramilitary forces and rallied its loyalists, as exemplified by Hernández's sister.
A History of Defending the Regime
Since his release in 2014, Hernández, who serves as the National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, has persistently defended the regime publicly and attacked those who documented July 11. He was previously sentenced to two life terms in the United States for his role in the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes, which resulted in four deaths. His release was part of the normalization agreement between Cuba and the United States, negotiated by Obama and Raúl Castro.
In the wake of July 11, Hernández justified the regime's crackdown with the phrase "the streets have limits," referencing the violent crackdown on protesters.
The Aftermath of July 11 Protests
On July 11, 2021, thousands of Cubans across numerous municipalities demanded freedom, an end to power outages, and access to food and medicine. The regime's response was a widespread crackdown: over a thousand people were detained, and hundreds faced summary trials resulting in sentences of up to 25 years. The organization Justicia11J documented 775 political prisoners, 338 of whom were directly sentenced for participating in the protests.
This Saturday, as Hernández attempted to turn a family anecdote into a propaganda tool, families of political prisoners and activists marked the fifth anniversary of July 11 by demanding the release of those who continue to suffer in prison for having taken to the streets that day.
Frequently Asked Questions about July 11 Protests
What were the July 11, 2021 protests in Cuba about?
The July 11 protests were a massive uprising across Cuba where citizens demanded freedom, the end of power outages, and better access to food and medicine.
How did the Cuban regime respond to the July 11 protests?
The regime responded with severe repression, deploying paramilitary forces and detaining over a thousand participants, with many facing harsh prison sentences.
Who is Gerardo Hernández?
Gerardo Hernández is a former Cuban spy and the National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution. He was imprisoned in the United States for espionage activities but was released as part of a diplomatic agreement.