Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel recently extended his congratulations to Russian state broadcaster RT (Russia Today) on its 20th anniversary, through a video message shared on social media. During the video, where he sips from a cup emblazoned with the RT logo, Díaz-Canel, who also serves as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, expressed his admiration for RT, stating that he appreciates the channel because it "reveals truths that others conceal" and "respects Cuba."
This carefully crafted message aligns with the communication alliance between Havana and Moscow—an ongoing exchange of propaganda aimed at legitimizing authoritarian regimes and spreading misinformation globally. Launched in 2005 and funded by the Kremlin, RT has become a primary tool of Russia's global media influence. An agreement struck in 2018, shortly before Díaz-Canel assumed office, led to RT's broadcast initiation in Cuba by March 2020.
RT's self-proclaimed mission of offering an "alternative" perspective to Western media starkly contrasts with numerous international reports accusing it of information manipulation, conspiracy theory dissemination, and serving as a mouthpiece for Vladimir Putin's interests. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union sanctioned and banned RT, labeling it a "direct threat to security and public order," while the United States and other Western democracies classified it as part of Russian state-sponsored misinformation.
Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Human Rights Watch have denounced RT as a "propaganda machine" designed to erode trust in free media and promote Kremlin-favorable narratives. Despite this track record, Díaz-Canel not only praised RT but also described it as "honest" and "courageous" for "speaking uncomfortable truths to global powers," a statement that rings with irony coming from a leader of one of the world's most press-restricted nations.
The State of Press Freedom in Cuba and Russia
According to RSF, Cuba ranks 165th out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, with a media landscape fully controlled by the Communist Party. Independent media outlets face blocking, and their journalists are subjected to harassment, detention, or forced exile. The public is deprived of unrestricted access to diverse information. Communication laws, bolstered by Decree-Law 35, criminalize content deemed "contrary to State interests," even on social media platforms.
Similarly, Russia is positioned at 171st out of 180 in RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index, illustrating a system where censorship, repression, and state-run propaganda have replaced free journalism. Under Kremlin control, nearly all independent media have been shuttered or branded as "foreign agents," with critical journalists facing persecution, exile, or imprisonment for distributing information considered "false" about the military or government.
Shared Communication Strategies of Havana and Moscow
RT serves as Putin's voice to the world, much like Cuba's media system functions as an extension of political power, leaving no space for criticism or investigative journalism. Both regimes utilize the rhetoric of "informational sovereignty" to justify censorship and attack free media, accusing them of being "imperialist tools." The alliance between Havana and Moscow is not merely ideological or economic but also communicative, driven by the belief that controlling the narrative equates to controlling reality.
In Cuba, RT broadcasts 24/7 on state television, a privilege never afforded to any independent Cuban media outlet. While free journalists navigate blockades, threats, and digital blackouts, the Kremlin's propaganda machine enjoys unfettered visibility on the island.
Díaz-Canel's praise for RT ultimately serves as a political confession: an acknowledgment that his communication model mirrors Putin's. It is a submissive press, devoid of scrutiny, dedicated to creating external enemies and concealing internal crises. In an era where accessing truth is an act of defiance, the Cuban leader's words reveal more than admiration for a foreign channel. They reflect a totalitarian regime's obsession with narrative control, even if it means unabashedly relying on Russian propaganda.
FAQs on Cuban and Russian Media Relations
Why did Díaz-Canel praise RT?
Díaz-Canel praised RT because he believes it reveals truths that other media outlets conceal and shows respect towards Cuba. This aligns with the communication strategies shared by Cuba and Russia to legitimize their regimes and spread their narratives globally.
What is the role of RT in Russia's global influence?
RT is a key instrument of Russia's global media influence. It is used to promote narratives favorable to the Kremlin, manipulate information, and disseminate conspiracy theories, serving as a mouthpiece for Vladimir Putin's interests.
How has the international community responded to RT?
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union sanctioned RT and banned its broadcasts, citing it as a threat to security and public order. Similarly, the United States and other Western democracies have listed it as part of Russian state-sponsored misinformation.