Cuban Propaganda Host Embarks on a Tour Across Spain's Major Cities

Gabriela Fernández Álvarez, a prominent figure in the Cuban regime's propaganda network, is set to tour 15 major cities in Spain from May 5 to May 21. The tour is provocatively titled “Cuban Youth in the Trump Era.” As the host of “Con Filo,” a program on Cuban Television that aligns with the regime's ideological agenda, Fernández aims to promote the official narrative to European audiences, supported by the State Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (MESC).

Official media like Cubainformación have announced the event, describing it as a series of talks where Fernández will discuss the effects of the so-called "economic war" imposed by the United States and the impact of media campaigns that, she claims, aim to discredit the Cuban socialist system. The tour schedule includes stops in cities such as Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Málaga, Bilbao, Valencia, Gijón, and Sevilla, among others.

Some events will be open to the public, while others, like those planned at the University of Sevilla or in Vilaboa, will be closed-door sessions. Local hosts include Leftist venues, the Communist Party of Spain, and associations supporting Cuba.

Gabriela Fernández: A Voice for the Regime

Born in Havana in 2000, Gabriela Fernández is both a writer and host of “Con Filo,” a show launched in 2021 as a media response from the regime after the July 11 protests that year. The program describes itself as “a trench against manipulation,” but in practice, it serves as a mouthpiece for the government to justify repression, structural crises, and the lack of freedoms on the island.

Beyond her television role, Fernández contributes to Cubadebate, collaborates with the official feminist magazine Cimarronas, and teaches at Enrique José Varona University of Pedagogical Sciences. Pro-regime media report that she graduated with top honors in 2024 and holds certificates of academic excellence.

Contradictions in the Narrative

The official narrative of "resistance and dignity" starkly contrasts with the daily reality of the island, plagued by blackouts, long queues, inflation, and a growing exodus of young people who, unlike Gabriela, do not see a viable future in the Cuban system. The tour's title, “Cuban Youth in the Trump Era,” has raised eyebrows, as it blames the U.S. president for the Cuban crisis, even though he is no longer in office. This is another attempt to shift blame for the regime's structural failures onto external foes.

The government, through its institutions, has shown unwavering support for its official spokesperson. Recently, the state-owned Tiendas Caribe chain in Old Havana used its social media accounts to publicly congratulate Gabriela Fernández Álvarez, host of the official program Con Filo, on her 25th birthday. The message, mixing comments about her hair color with colloquial and political references, concluded with: “Directed to congratulate her in comments,” sparking criticism for the propagandistic use of institutional accounts.