Former Cuban spy Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, who now serves as the national coordinator for the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), has called upon CDR members to engage in social media warfare during the central event celebrating the organization's 64th anniversary.
Speaking in Santiago de Cuba, the national event's location, Hernández Nordelo stated that "today's bombs are more subtle and covert, primarily existing in the realm of social media." According to a report published on the official Canal Caribe Facebook page, he emphasized that "each moment demands new challenges, and the CDR's strength will always be at the service of the Motherland."
Moreover, he highlighted the importance of "spreading the truth about Cuba," although this would actually mean disseminating the regime's narrative. The Cuban populace endures a harsh reality marked by power outages, shortages, and countless difficulties.
The Reality Behind CDR Events
Despite the turnout at the event, many attendees were compelled to participate by their workplace supervisors. For most Cubans, the CDRs are seen as hotbeds of neighborhood informants, tools of the oppressive regime that aim to turn neighbors into watchdogs. If these committees still exist, it is solely due to the oversized power of the dictatorship's repressive apparatus.
Disillusionment Among Citizens
Who still stands guard today? Which parents enroll their children in the organization when they turn 16? What about the CDR's "Click Patrol," "Red Sundays," meetings, or any celebrations? The reality is that no one is invested in these anymore, and Hernández Nordelo is well aware of this. Yet, he persists in claiming that they are advancing in programs for collecting "raw materials" and "blood donations."