Spanish Social Media Expert Urges Cuban Regime to Tighten Internet Control

Spanish social media expert, Carlos González Penalva, has advised the Cuban regime to intensify its grip on the Internet. Describing himself as a "stoic communist and philosophical rationalist," Penalva shared his views during an interview on Canal Caribe's "Buenos Días" program, in a segment titled "Media Warfare Against Cuba on Social Media."

During his appearance, Penalva emphasized three main ideas. Firstly, he stated that government intervention in the flow of information on social media should target groups likely to consume content deemed harmful to the government, particularly those dissatisfied with the regime. He argued that directly targeting message creators is ineffective, as dismantling a group in Florida would only result in similar groups emerging elsewhere, such as in Spain, as long as there is an audience for such "harmful" information.

Penalva's second suggestion was the establishment of stricter regulatory frameworks for social media interactions. Cuba has already made strides in this area by implementing regulations that restrict freedom of expression online. The regime's measures involve fines and imprisonment for citizens voicing political opinions in the digital realm.

In his third point, Penalva highlighted a "global context of conflict" where disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing nations and economies are becoming more prevalent. His rhetoric aligns closely with the Cuban regime's, echoing their terminology. He asserted that alleged disinformation campaigns against Cuba are part of an unconventional media war, potentially escalating tensions and conflicts from peace to strife.

"This is not just about disinformation, a phenomenon not new, but about war and a profound strategy seeking to alter political and social reality through communication technology, manipulating emotions to subvert Cuba's institutions and society," Penalva stated on his profile on X.

Penalva did not address the media crisis in Cuba or the oppression faced by citizens with contrary political views, nor did he mention the longstanding lack of press and speech freedom in the country.

The Impact of Decree Law 35 on Free Expression in Cuba

In 2021, following the mass protests of July 11, the Cuban government published Decree Law 35 in the Official Gazette, imposing severe restrictions on Internet freedom of expression. This law criminalizes acts such as spreading "false news," offensive messages, or any content damaging the country's prestige, categorizing them as cybersecurity incidents.

The law also labels the publication of data that authorities claim threaten the state's constitutional, social, and economic principles as "harmful dissemination." It criminalizes calls for peaceful demonstrations and protests, branding them as "cyberterrorism."

Decree Law 35 and its complementary resolutions assert the Cuban state's control over public telecommunications services, granting it authority to regulate, monitor, and oversee all services and networks nationwide.

A Legal Framework for Total Internet Control

In 2023, the Cuban Parliament unanimously passed the controversial Social Communication Law, further restricting press freedom in Cuba. The law controls media content and has been widely criticized by non-governmental organizations and independent press. Miguel Díaz-Canel described the law as a "first step" in controlling Cuba's communication system, prohibiting the dissemination of information that could "destabilize the socialist state."

This legislation allows only state-affiliated or Communist Party-linked media outlets, denying press freedom and independent content dissemination outside the official narrative.