Abel Prieto, the former Minister of Culture and current president of Casa de las Américas, has once again positioned himself at the forefront of the Cuban regime's propaganda efforts. This past Sunday, he issued a message offering unwavering support to leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, who is facing a public relations crisis following an unfortunate encounter with an elderly woman affected by Hurricane Melissa.
"The enemy shamelessly lies and does everything possible to tarnish his image; however, our people love, admire, and recognize him as a worthy successor to Fidel and Raúl. #IStandWithMyPresident," Prieto wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).
This message, featuring the official slogan #IStandWithMyPresident, is part of a new digital campaign aimed at defending the figurehead of "continuity." It seeks to counteract the barrage of criticism stemming from the incident in Granma, where Díaz-Canel rudely told a woman who had lost her bed and mattress, "I don't have one to give you either."
Just hours earlier, Agnes Becerra, a former anchor of the Cuban Television's Evening News, had posted a similarly toned message: "So many lies land on his shoulders, but he is a just man leading a country in extreme situations, under blockade, taking on an immense task. #IStandWithMyPresident."
Both posts, seemingly spontaneous, follow the same script: turning discredit into victimhood and portraying Díaz-Canel as a beleaguered yet heroic leader, a "worthy successor" to the legacy of dictators Fidel and Raúl Castro.
Later, Díaz-Canel himself responded directly to Prieto on X, congratulating him on his 75th birthday: "To a dear friend and brilliant intellectual who proudly shows his revolutionary spirit without ever giving up his Cuban humor, @AbelPrieto11, congratulations on your youthful 75."
This exchange is part of a carefully planned self-promotion strategy: while Prieto acts as the emotional spokesperson for power, the first secretary of the Communist Party reciprocates with camaraderie, attempting to reinforce the narrative of unity and continuity.
However, to many users, Prieto's message is yet another example of "propaganda junk": a fake defense that ignores public outrage and recycles the clichés of a "media war."
Rather than achieving its goal, the #IStandWithMyPresident campaign seems to have deepened the disconnect between the official discourse and the everyday reality of a weary nation, where every gesture of adulation towards the regime echoes as an insult to the misery and pain of the entire people.
Understanding the Cuban Propaganda Machine
What triggered Abel Prieto's support for Díaz-Canel?
Abel Prieto's support for Díaz-Canel was prompted by a public relations crisis involving Díaz-Canel's rude response to an elderly woman affected by Hurricane Melissa, which drew significant criticism.
How did Díaz-Canel respond to the criticism?
Díaz-Canel responded by engaging in a carefully planned exchange with Abel Prieto on social media, which was part of a broader strategy to promote unity and continuity.
What is the goal of the #IStandWithMyPresident campaign?
The campaign aims to defend Díaz-Canel's image and counteract the criticism by portraying him as a besieged yet heroic leader, in line with the legacy of Fidel and Raúl Castro.