Vice President of Cuba's Journalist Union Mocks Radio Martí Shutdown and Independent Media Crisis

The Vice President of the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) recently showcased his state-sanctioned humor by mocking independent journalists affected by the shutdown of Radio Martí and the recent funding cuts from the United States to alternative media on the island. Francisco Rodríguez Cruz, widely recognized as Paquito de Cuba, took to social media to sarcastically comment on the reduced funding from USAID and NED to independent Cuban media, writing, "Trump's measures increase unemployment by 20% among Cuban counterrevolutionaries..." His remark was seen as a jab at Cuban journalists who operate outside the totalitarian control of the island's communist regime, facing censorship, repression, and now even greater challenges maintaining their media outlets following the significant funding cuts that will impact several media in exile.

Not stopping there, UPEC's vice president shared a series of photos holding a portable radio with a puzzled expression, with the caption, "Here I am trying to hear Radio Martí..." This ironic gesture comes as the Cuban dictatorship celebrates the closure of the U.S.-funded station, one of the few sources of information that managed to bypass the island's censorship. For decades, Radio Martí has been a crucial outlet for delivering news without the manipulation of Cuba's state-controlled media. Its broadcasts have been a vital alternative for Cuban citizens, despite constant interference and attacks from the regime. However, the Trump administration decided to cease its funding as part of a shift in priorities, a move perceived as an indirect concession to Havana and a setback for independent press efforts.

Official Attacks on Alternative Media

Rodríguez Cruz's statements mirror the regime's official discourse, which has systematically discredited alternative media and independent journalists, labeling them as "mercenaries" or "imperialist pawns." From UPEC, the official apparatus for communist party-affiliated journalists, a narrative of criminalization has been promoted against those seeking to practice journalism outside state control. Rodríguez Cruz, who has previously voiced radical positions within official journalism, has openly criticized colleagues who choose to leave state media for editorial independence. On one occasion, he lamented that some former state reporters joined media funded by international organizations, consistent with the regime's narrative, which not only suppresses journalists within the island but also targets and discredits those in exile attempting to report on Cuba's reality.

The Plight of Free Press in Cuba

The shutdown of Radio Martí and cuts from USAID and NED pose a heightened challenge for Cuba's independent press, which already operates under extremely adverse conditions. Following the approval of Decree-Law 370 and the subsequent Social Communication Law, the Cuban government has tightened its grip on information, criminalizing journalism outside official media and imposing sanctions on those spreading news contrary to the regime's narrative. Journalists in Cuba face harassment, surveillance, arbitrary detention, and travel restrictions. Many have been forced into exile to continue reporting, while those remaining work under constant threats. Meanwhile, media funded by USAID and NED have been among the few avenues to sustain independent journalism, but with these funds reduced, their operational capacity will be compromised.

Rodríguez Cruz's mockery not only demonstrates cynicism but also reflects the Cuban regime's stance on press freedom. Instead of fostering debate and information plurality, it chooses to ridicule those offering an alternative narrative to official propaganda. The outlook for independent press in Cuba is more uncertain than ever, and the attitude of UPEC's vice president makes it clear that the regime has no intention of allowing other voices to be heard.