Former State Security Agent Delivers Blistering Rebuke to Díaz-Canel's Press Chief

The chief of communications for Cuba's ruler, Leticia Martínez Hernández, found herself at the receiving end of a powerful public rebuttal from Manuel David Orrio del Rosario, a former State Security agent. Orrio systematically dismantled her arguments defending national dignity.

Orrio's response, shared on the leftist platform Kaosenlared, presented facts challenging the official narrative of "continuity" championed by Miguel Díaz-Canel. He also hinted at potential discord within the regime.

Dismantling Official Claims

In his critique, Orrio countered each point made by Martínez Hernández, who had touted Cuba's scientific, medical, and sports achievements as a retort to concerns raised by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez about the erosion of national dignity.

The former agent, known for exposing independent journalists and dissidents during the "Black Spring," argued that Cuba's reality contradicts the government's optimistic portrayal. He cited statistics revealing declines in essential sectors like health, education, and the economy.

For instance, he noted that Cuba's infant mortality rate increased from 4.0 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 7.5 in 2023, marking a significant setback in once-prideful national indicators. Furthermore, he pointed out that educational investment from 2009 to 2023 was a mere 1.72% of the country's total investments, questioning the current state of Cuba's education system.

Challenging the Narrative

Orrio not only provided statistics contradicting the government's narrative but also criticized the triumphant attitude of Martínez Hernández, noting that many claimed achievements are overshadowed by economic crisis, corruption, and lack of transparency in state management.

When Martínez Hernández cited a scenario of nationwide mobilization for a young leukemia patient needing blood as an example of "national dignity," Orrio challenged the regime, naming key figures like State Security colleague and CDR coordinator Gerardo Hernández Nordelo.

"How does Cuba meet WHO's guideline of at least one blood donation per 100 inhabitants? How do voluntary blood donations, a historical task of the CDR, fare?" Orrio questioned Díaz-Canel's press chief.

Highlighting Internal Discord

The exchange originated from Silvio Rodríguez's reflection lamenting Cuba's loss of national dignity, seen widely as a veiled critique of the lavish Habanos Festival in Havana's Capitol amid the country's severe economic crisis.

In response, Martínez Hernández defended national dignity on Facebook, highlighting Cuba's successes in health, education, and international solidarity. She justified the Capitol event, claiming it enhanced the country's image and benefited strategic sectors like public health.

However, her defense sparked mixed reactions, with Orrio's being the most notable, accusing her of distorting reality and dodging the country's structural issues. His article not only refuted Martínez Hernández's points but also hinted at internal tensions within the Cuban government, suggesting high-level officials are responsible for the decline in key indicators.

Speculating Fractures in Power

Orrio's harsh response has fueled speculation about potential fractures within Cuba's power structures. For a former State Security agent to publicly challenge a key figure in the regime's narrative indicates disagreements within the officialdom. While some aim to project resilience and success amid crisis, others seem ready to highlight the government's failures.

Orrio's intervention also suggests that censorship and internal discipline within the regime aren't as stringent as before, possibly indicating increasing fragmentation within the ruling elite. Although the Cuban government tries to project unity, incidents like this reveal fissures with potential long-term political implications.

Adding to the controversy, María del Carmen Hernández Carús, Martínez Hernández's mother, defended her daughter and rejected the attacks, showing that the debate extends beyond official circles and stirs personal passions among the regime's powerful and their families.

The controversy continues to spark debate on social media and in the press, with some viewing it as a symptom of the Cuban government's internal crisis and others as a mere clash of opinions. Regardless, Orrio's reaction exposed a rift within the regime's communication apparatus, questioning the cohesion of its official narrative at a critical time for the country.