As the fourth anniversary of the July 11 protests approaches, Cuba's government is ramping up its repression tactics with a fresh political maneuver: updating its controversial National List of Persons and Entities Associated with Terrorism. This newly revised list now includes 62 individuals and 20 organizations, prominently featuring influencers, dissidents, and exiled activists who have long criticized the regime through digital platforms.
During a press briefing unveiling the updated list, Colonel Víctor Álvarez Valle from the Ministry of the Interior introduced a new term that has raised eyebrows: "cyberterrorism." This term is being used to categorize those who allegedly make "excessive use of social media to incite violence, attack government entities, and discredit them."
The official spokesperson issued a stark warning, stating, "No one who stands against the revolutionary process, for any reason, escapes scrutiny," signaling a tightening grip on digital dissent. Notable figures on the list include Alexander Otaola, Ana Olema Hernández, Eliecer Ávila, Ultrack, Manuel Milanés, Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, and Alain Lambert (Paparazzi Cubano). These individuals are prominent content creators with a significant social media following, known for their outspoken criticism of the Cuban regime.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Resolution 13/2025 from the Ministry of the Interior, published in the Official Gazette, fails to provide public evidence to support these claims. Many allegations are based on vaguely described events, some dating back to the 1990s and 2000s, and supposed "criminal investigations" whose details remain undisclosed.
Humberto López, a regime spokesperson, utilized a segment on state television to issue a thinly veiled warning. "Soon, we will show concrete examples of individuals here in the national territory involved with these terrorists. Terrorists who, from a distance, use people here as cannon fodder," López stated, hinting at potential new repressive actions against Cubans on the island who engage with exiled dissidents.
The commentator eagerly dramatized the inclusion of names on the list, such as Armando Labrador Coro, whom he unabashedly labeled a member of the "terrorist organization Cuba First." "I'll stop there. Expect more news soon," he concluded, adopting a prosecutorial tone rather than that of a journalist, furthering the atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Human rights analysts and organizations argue that the use of the term "terrorism" is more about intimidation than justice. Criminalizing dissent, especially from exiles, becomes a strategy to silence dissenting voices and bolster the narrative of external threats.
The case of Alexander Otaola is emblematic: when he was first listed in 2023, he reacted with sarcasm, saying, "Canel, look what I do with the extradition: I clean my car with it," while holding up a roll of toilet paper featuring the Cuban leader's face.
Despite the dramatic nature of the accusations, the list holds no legal weight outside Cuba. In 2024, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to CiberCuba that it had no official record of this list and that no alerts existed in European airports against those named. The same holds true in Latin America, where several accused individuals have traveled without restrictions.
Even the mention of Interpol red notices has not been backed by evidence or confirmations from the international body. There has been no official response from the U.S. government, although during the press conference, senior Cuban officials accused Washington of harboring those who, in their view, "plan terrorist actions from its territory."
Understanding Cuba's "Cyberterrorism" Accusations
Who are some of the individuals labeled as "cyberterrorists" by the Cuban regime?
The list includes prominent figures like Alexander Otaola, Ana Olema Hernández, Eliecer Ávila, Ultrack, Manuel Milanés, Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, and Alain Lambert (Paparazzi Cubano).
What is the Cuban regime's definition of "cyberterrorism"?
The regime defines "cyberterrorism" as the excessive use of social media to incite violence, attack government entities, and discredit them.
Does the Cuban terrorism list have legal consequences outside of Cuba?
No, the list does not have legal effects outside of Cuba. Countries like Spain and those in Latin America have not acknowledged the list, and there are no travel restrictions in place for those named.