Gabriela Fernández Reflects on Her First Trip Abroad: "Cuba Now Seems More Fascinating and Admirable"

Gabriela Fernández, a prominent proponent of Cuban government propaganda, recently shared her newfound appreciation for Cuba after traveling abroad for the first time. In an interview with the Basque outlet Naiz, Fernández remarked, "Having never left the country before, seeing the world outside has made Cuba appear much more fascinating and admirable to me." Her comments come at a time when thousands of young Cubans are fleeing the country's economic hardships and political repression.

Fernández is known for her role as a scriptwriter and host of the television program Con Filo. In May, she embarked on a tour of 15 Spanish cities under the banner "Cuban Youth in the Trump Era," backed by the State Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (MESC). During this tour, she defended the Cuban government's policies in front of sympathetic audiences, organizing events in universities, United Left venues, headquarters of the Communist Party of Spain, and solidarity groups supporting Havana's government.

In her conversation with Naiz, Fernández discussed the current challenges in Cuba, including power outages, inflation, and a significant youth exodus, attributing these issues to the U.S. embargo. "The blockade has forced us to implement measures that diverge somewhat from the revolutionary ideal," she claimed. Regarding the frequent blackouts, she acknowledged their emotional and economic impact but refrained from criticizing the government.

Comparing the current crisis to the infamous "Special Period" of the 1990s, Fernández stated that "officially, we never emerged" from that era, although she noted differences, perceiving the present situation as somewhat improved. "During the 'Special Period,' shortages were extreme; now, while we don't face such severe shortages, we must address wage issues, as salaries often fall short," she explained.

While admitting that young Cubans are "facing truly difficult times," she added, "Complexity doesn't necessarily equate to negativity." Commenting on the country's mass emigration, Fernández mentioned that it was once viewed more negatively because staying and building was important. However, she now finds it understandable, even for "young revolutionaries who choose to emigrate."

Fernández stressed that the Cuban government is working to "normalize relations between emigrants and island residents," while blaming the U.S. embargo for "disrupting these relationships and using migration as a political weapon against Cuba."

During her tour, Fernández was welcomed by pro-government circles and shielded from protests by Cuban activists and dissidents. In several cities, including Seville, her events were held behind closed doors.

Born in Havana in 2000, Fernández also contributes to official outlets like Cubadebate and Cimarronas and serves as a professor at the Enrique José Varona University of Pedagogical Sciences. Her media presence was solidified following the July 11, 2021 protests, when the Cuban government launched Con Filo as a platform to justify repression and maintain its narrative amid growing public dissent.