CIA Urges Cubans to Discreetly Collaborate for Positive Change on the Island

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States issued a direct message in Spanish on Saturday, urging Cuban citizens to secretly collaborate with the agency to foster change on the island.

"To those seeking to create a positive change in Cuba – now is the time. The disappointment from broken promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of a few – seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discreet partnership with the CIA," stated the message posted on the official @CIA account on the social media platform X.

This call came hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared a nearly identical message on his @SecRubio account, which experts describe as an unprecedented public and coordinated action between the State Department and the CIA. It marks the first time a Secretary of State has openly called for informant recruitment in a foreign country via social media.

Accompanying the tweet, the CIA released a nearly two-minute-long video in Spanish and a detailed guide on Instagram, providing operational security instructions for those interested in making contact.

The agency advises using a non-locally produced virtual private network (VPN), browsing in incognito mode, creating a disposable email account with a provider from the United States or an allied country, and clearing browser history after following the instructions.

"The CIA is eager to learn the truth about Cuba, and we are seeking trustworthy individuals who know and can communicate this truth. Your information may be more valuable than you think," the agency emphasized in the guide.

This call is part of an ongoing escalation of U.S. pressure on Cuba, which has intensified throughout 2026.

Escalating Tensions and Political Context

In May, CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a surprise visit to Havana — the first of its kind since 2016 — where he met with Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas and other senior officials of the regime.

In August, the New York Times reported the creation of a secret CIA task force dedicated solely to Cuba, elevated to "Priority 1" status alongside China, Iran, and Russia.

The immediate political backdrop adds further meaning to these events. On the eve of this announcement, Trump held a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, in support of Republican candidates for the upcoming November 3 legislative elections. During the event, he humorously suggested deploying military ships off the Cuban coast and declared he would send Rubio to "seal the deal."

The Cuban-American community in Florida plays a critical electoral role for the Republican Party, with Rubio being a central figure in this rhetoric.

The Cuban regime responded mockingly. On social media, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío dismissed the call as a sign of "desperation," stating that there must be "a lot of despair or poverty" within the CIA to "sell their offers like toothpaste."

Negotiations between Washington and Havana remain at a standstill. The Cuban regime rejected a U.S. proposal linking aid to energy privatizations, and the Cuban chargé d'affaires in Washington clarified that existing contacts do not constitute formal negotiations.

Meanwhile, Rubio had previously warned the regime's armed apparatus that those believing they could withstand until the end of the Trump administration would "learn the lesson the hard way."

Cuban-American Congressman Carlos A. Giménez enthusiastically welcomed the call: "The regime in Havana must be consigned to the dustbin of history, and I know that day is closer than ever."