On Tuesday, Israel Rojas, leader of the band Buena Fe, launched a tirade on social media against CiberCuba following the circulation of a fabricated headline featuring a shirtless photo of him. The image, which falsely depicted him in a heated exchange with a utility worker over a power outage, is not associated with any actual content from the site. It originated from Facebook pages that mimic CiberCuba's visuals.
"One day they say I'm privileged and don't suffer blackouts. The next, they spread any nonsensical information," Rojas vented angrily. In his post, he also accused CiberCuba of remaining silent on critical issues like deportations, the genocide in Palestine, or protests in California, while targeting artists aligned with the government.
The controversial photo—clarified by Rojas himself to be from an unreleased music video shoot—was embedded in a fake post that adopted CiberCuba's logo and style. However, a quick scan of the QR code on the image reveals it links to an entirely unrelated story about influencer Musteerifa and their engagement.
CiberCuba has previously alerted its audience to the rise of profiles and pages misusing its graphic identity to spread false information, exploiting its strong standing in the Cuban news landscape. A recent editorial from the platform noted how its popularity has led to its brand being "absorbed by popular culture," creating a paradox: while it becomes a recognized symbol, it also becomes a target for manipulation and fake news.
"Our image has become synonymous with news in the public mind. But it is also used to propagate lies dressed as truth," warned the CiberCuba team. The outlet reiterated its "golden rule": if a story isn't on their platforms, it's fabricated. CiberCuba frequently finds itself under fire from government-affiliated figures like Israel Rojas.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding CiberCuba and Israel Rojas
What was the nature of the image involving Israel Rojas?
The image falsely depicted Israel Rojas shirtless, supposedly arguing with a utility worker about a power outage. It was a fabricated post using CiberCuba's visual identity.
How did CiberCuba respond to the fake post?
CiberCuba warned about the misuse of their brand in spreading disinformation and reiterated that any story not published on their platforms should be considered false.
What issues did Israel Rojas accuse CiberCuba of ignoring?
Israel Rojas accused CiberCuba of remaining silent on topics like deportations, the genocide in Palestine, and protests in California, while focusing on government-affiliated artists.