Recent publications from Cuba's state-controlled media highlight a stark contradiction in their approach to global protests compared to those occurring within the island. A prime example can be found in Cubadebate, a government-run outlet. On one hand, they expressed sympathy for protesters in Valencia, Spain, demanding the resignation of the regional leader due to mismanagement of the catastrophic DANA-induced floods. On the other hand, they defended the repression of Cuban citizens protesting power outages on the island.
This show of solidarity with the Spanish victims by Cubadebate contrasts sharply with their alignment with Cuban regime spokesperson Randy Alonso Falcón, echoing the Prosecutor General's rationale for detaining and prosecuting Cuban demonstrators upset with the government's handling of the energy crisis.
Support for Spanish Protesters
An article about the Valencia protests detailed how 130,000 individuals took to the streets to vent their "fury" at the Valencian government for its inadequate response to the DANA, which resulted in 222 deaths and left thousands affected. The protest, organized by 65 groups and supported by 83 others, remained largely peaceful, aside from minor incidents like mud and paint being thrown at government buildings.
In their coverage, Cubadebate appeared to side with the protesters, highlighting chants such as "Mazón resign" and "the people united will never be defeated," while criticizing the Generalitat for its delayed and ineffective response to the crisis.
Condemnation of Cuban Discontent
Conversely, a subsequent article from the same state-controlled media took a contrasting stance regarding Cuban protesters. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against individuals in Havana, Mayabeque, and Ciego de Ávila for participating in demonstrations. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, which Cubadebate reiterated, provisional detention measures have been imposed on the accused for "assault, public disorder, and damage."
The article argued that these acts of dissent disrupt "public tranquility" and justified the Cuban authorities' actions by emphasizing the need for "order, discipline, and respect for authorities." Furthermore, the statement from the Prosecutor’s Office praised those "dedicated to the country's recovery efforts," contrasting them with the supposed irresponsibility of the protesters.
The Double Standard
The discrepancy between these positions highlights the Cuban regime's double standards. While it champions justice demands by Spanish activists, calling for accountability and responsibility from their leaders, it harshly condemns its own citizens' protests, denying them the right to voice grievances and criticize governmental mismanagement.
The Cuban regime's narrative, as adopted by Cubadebate, ignored the underlying issues prompting protests on the island—primarily, prolonged blackouts and resource shortages—portraying demonstrators as threats to order and security. The language used, emphasizing "respect for socialist legality," reinforced the narrative that any dissent or criticism in Cuba is unacceptable and must be punished.
This contrast becomes even more apparent when examining the similarities between both protests. In Valencia, demonstrations were a response to inadequate handling of a natural disaster; in Cuba, citizens took to the streets amidst a worsening energy crisis and an economic situation impacting daily life.
However, while the Cuban regime views the protest in Valencia as a legitimate expression of citizen frustration, it refuses to acknowledge similar motivations in its own populace, resorting to repression and legal action to silence discontent.
The Cuban state media's stance reveals a clear institutional hypocrisy. Although the regime claims to defend peoples' rights worldwide, it suppresses its citizens when they exercise the same right to protest and demand improvements. While Valencian authorities allowed the protest without significant repercussions, the Cuban regime responded to its protesters with arrests and trials, aiming to control dissent and stifle public discontent.
This contradiction in the official media's discourse underscores the challenge faced by Cubans: a regime that supports protests abroad while censoring and punishing those at home, revealing a policy of suppression towards anyone questioning the island's reality.