The Cuban government has denied allegations that it sent IT specialists to Venezuela to support the presidential election in the country, which has been widely criticized as fraudulent under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro.
“It is absolutely false that specialists in computer science or any other field have traveled from Cuba to Venezuela with the purpose of altering the presidential election results,” stated a communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba (MINREX).
The Cuban Foreign Ministry described the accusations as "baseless and fabricated" by Francisco Santos, the former vice president of Colombia (2002-2010), adding that these claims "are not supported by evidence, because none exists."
Regarding Santos, the MINREX noted that he is a figure "known for his active participation in disinformation campaigns and involvement in various political scandals." They also referenced a previous incident in December 2021, where Santos falsely claimed that Iván Márquez, the commander of a Colombian guerrilla group, was in Cuba—a claim that was vehemently denied.
The Ministry concluded that "the politically motivated construction of a web of lies attributing to Cuba responsibility for the election results in Venezuela is accepted as truth by those who traditionally engage in disinformation campaigns about our country."
Santos, who served as vice president during the two presidential terms of Álvaro Uribe Vélez and as Colombia’s ambassador to the United States from 2018 to 2021 under Iván Duque, reiterated his stance in an interview with Semana magazine, stating, “Democracy in Latin America is at risk. Venezuela under Maduro is like Cuba on steroids. Cuba sponsored guerrilla groups, financed drug trafficking, and lived off the drug trade. Venezuela is Cuba to the nth degree. This means that democracy in Latin America is in tremendous danger.”
Cuban Government's Response to Intervention Allegations
Concerning the accusations of Cuban intervention in the elections that declared Nicolás Maduro the winner and the subsequent protests from the Venezuelan people, the MINREX last week denied any movement of people or documents to Caracas.
“The Declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 31, 2024, denounced that the Venezuelan people are facing media and political manipulation, along with imperialist harassment, external interference, and opportunistic attacks by the oligarchies and their representatives,” MINREX stated, referencing a previous note that reaffirmed their support for Maduro’s proclamation for a third presidential term (2025-2031).
The Cuban government is among the few that recognize the electoral results in Venezuela and has even congratulated Maduro on his controversial victory. This support comes alongside allied nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and Nicaragua. Numerous politicians, non-governmental organizations, and election observers have reported multiple irregularities in the elections.
FAQs on Cuban Involvement in Venezuelan Elections
Given the recent allegations and denials from the Cuban government regarding their involvement in Venezuelan elections, here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the issue.
Did Cuba send IT specialists to Venezuela to manipulate election results?
No, the Cuban government has denied sending any IT specialists to Venezuela to alter the presidential election results.
What did the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs say about the allegations?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the accusations are baseless and fabricated, and that there is no evidence to support these claims.
Who made the allegations against Cuba?
The accusations were made by Francisco Santos, the former vice president of Colombia, who has a history of participating in disinformation campaigns.
Does Cuba recognize the election results in Venezuela?
Yes, Cuba is one of the few countries that recognize the election results and has congratulated Nicolás Maduro on his victory.