Cuban Government TV Host Challenges Critics in Spain: "Prove We Have Lied"

Gabriela Fernández Álvarez, the face of the Cuban government-aligned TV show Con Filo, is continuing her promotional tour across Spain amidst protests, controversies, and claims of dishonesty. Speaking at an event in Málaga organized by the Spanish union Comisiones Obreras, known for its socialist and communist leanings, Gabriela defended her work against widespread criticism both in Cuba and abroad.

Facing allegations that Con Filo disseminates misinformation and distorts Cuban realities, she issued a challenge: "Our show is one you might agree or disagree with, as it involves political opinion and analysis, but we've never lied." Her defense aimed to legitimize the show’s editorial stance, which often targets dissidents, activists, and journalists critical of the regime, arguing that these accusations lack evidence.

Gabriela emphasized that she and her colleagues consistently invite critics to point out any falsehoods they might have broadcasted, yet claim that no one has been able to provide proof. While acknowledging the criticism she faces in Cuba, she noted that it generally remains confined to the virtual realm. "The toxicity you typically see on social media, which can be extremely violent, doesn't usually extend beyond the screen in Cuba," she said.

Confrontation and Defense in Spain

In contrast, she mentioned experiencing more direct harassment in Spain: "It seems they've grown tired, but they were following me from city to city...". During her talk, she compared the situation in Cuba with her experiences in Europe, noting, "They haven't reached the level of violence seen here," without acknowledging that similar actions in Cuba could lead to legal repercussions.

Trying to foster a connection with the Cuban audience, Gabriela claimed that the show's hosts live among the people who watch them on TV and are open to direct dialogue. "They can talk to us, and it never reaches the level of violence seen here, with threats and attempts to intimidate," she insisted.

Tour Amidst Tensions and Protests

Despite her efforts to appear popular, Gabriela Fernández’s tour through Spanish cities has not been free of conflict. Cuban exiles have sought to attend her events, only to be denied entry. On May 5th in Madrid, she sparked a tense moment by taunting emigrants protesting peacefully outside the headquarters of the Bartolomé de las Casas Hispanic-Cuban Friendship Association, where she was giving a talk, with kisses and ridicule.

"This has never happened to us before," she remarked, referring to the level of confrontation experienced on the streets of Spain. The 15-city European tour, backed by the Movimiento Estatal de Solidaridad con Cuba (MESC), has been described by exile activists as an ideological cleansing campaign for the regime.

The tour aims to present a positive image of the Cuban system, defending official stances on the embargo, the revolutionary youth, and resistance to U.S. sanctions, while actively excluding dissenting voices. On social media, activists like Magdiel Jorge Castro accused Fernández of "mocking free Cubans," while highlighting the police presence and support from local communist groups at the events.

Fernández's international appearances appear to confirm a Cuban regime strategy of external propaganda, seeking to insert its narrative into spaces receptive to its message, while ignoring severe human rights violations within the country.