Arnaldo Rodríguez, the pro-government musician and leader of the band El Talismán—once popular in the early 2000s but now largely appearing at government-sponsored patriotic events—resurfaced on Monday to publicly side with the Cuban regime's attack on the independent media outlet El Toque.
Rodríguez took to Facebook, echoing the rhetoric of the State Security, to accuse those defending the portal of having lost "shame, decency, and the ability to reason."
His post emerged amid the regime's intense campaign against El Toque, which has become a primary target of official propaganda for publishing the Informal Market Representative Rate (TRMI). This tool is a daily resource for millions of Cubans seeking reliable economic information in a country where such data is scarce.
In his statement, Arnaldo asserts that the government is engaged in a "titanic task": combating the "external enemy," addressing "internal errors," and particularly confronting the "local know-it-alls and lackeys" who, he claims, unfairly blame the State.
According to the musician, El Toque is not a victim of a smear campaign but part of a hostile narrative against the Revolution. However, the reality the regime attempts to obscure tells a different story.
State-Led Campaign Against El Toque Intensifies
In recent weeks, the state apparatus has launched a coordinated operation to discredit the independent outlet. The State Security has circulated audio clips manipulated with artificial intelligence to falsely implicate its director in alleged financial deals. Humberto López accused the platform on television of "financial terrorism," "currency trafficking," and "tax evasion." Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez spoke of "evidence" that remains unseen, and the Central Bank reiterated the official line, blaming the TRMI for the currency crisis.
All of this is occurring amid the highest inflation rates in decades, prolonged blackouts, and a rapidly devaluing Cuban peso.
Contradictory Voices Speak Out
While Rodríguez labels El Toque's supporters as "lackeys," economists, journalists, and citizens have responded decisively. Cuban academic Mauricio de Miranda, based in Colombia, dismissed the notion that a digital portal could destabilize an economy already crippled by decades of poor management as "fairy tales."
Even official journalist Ariel Terrero acknowledged that blaming El Toque is "grotesque" and lacks economic basis. Experts like Ileana Díaz, Oscar Fernández, and Hiram Marquetti have highlighted issues such as the absence of a functional foreign exchange market, partial dollarization, unbacked monetary issuance, and the Central Bank's incompetence.
El Toque's director, José Jasán Nieves, responded over the weekend by reaffirming his commitment to democracy and denouncing the regime's harassment, which includes attempts to fabricate criminal charges and organize acts of repudiation even abroad.
The attack on El Toque is not about shedding light on any issue but about creating a convenient scapegoat to divert public frustration stemming from years of economic mismanagement. Figures like Arnaldo Rodríguez play their part by parroting the official narrative to discredit those who dare to reveal uncomfortable truths.
Meanwhile, the reality the government strives to conceal remains the same—millions of Cubans endure daily hardships with inadequate wages, blackouts, inflation, and a country increasingly reliant on an informal market beyond the State's control.
Questions About the Current Situation in Cuba
What is the Informal Market Representative Rate (TRMI)?
The TRMI is a tool published by El Toque that provides daily updates on informal market exchange rates in Cuba, serving as a critical resource for Cubans seeking reliable economic information.
Why is El Toque under attack by the Cuban government?
El Toque is being targeted for its independent reporting, particularly its publication of the TRMI, which exposes economic realities that challenge the official government narrative.
How has the regime responded to El Toque's reporting?
The regime has launched a campaign to discredit El Toque, including manipulated audio clips and accusations of financial misconduct, to undermine the outlet's credibility.