Early Saturday morning, hundreds of Cubans flocked to various hotels across the island, misled by the belief that they would receive $1,100 in aid following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The rumor, which was spread by Spanish national Ignacio Giménez, triggered a massive turnout, prompting the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) to officially deny the alleged cash distribution.
Incidents were reported in cities such as Havana and Santiago de Cuba, which awoke to unusual activity as crowds gathered outside state-run hotels.
Starting as early as 6 a.m., locals and passersby began discreetly assembling, spurred on by a social media post promising "financial assistance" at major tourist locations across the nation.
Giménez, notorious for spreading falsehoods about Cuban affairs on social media, had previously circulated rumors about the supposed death of Raúl Castro. His latest ploy once again captivated the attention of the Cuban public.
The post claimed that starting "at 8:00 a.m.," teams wearing yellow shirts would distribute $1,100 per person and that the state television would cover the event.
Despite being entirely fictitious, the rumor rapidly spread through Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada confirmed that the commotion in Santiago was directly tied to the hoax, underscoring the precarious situation of Cubans, where a mere rumor can mobilize hundreds.
"The people, battered by crisis and desperation, fell into the trap of misinformation once again," Mayeta noted. "Meanwhile, the government responds with patrols to a problem that didn't originate with the citizens, but from deceit."
The journalist described how, as more people gathered, authorities dispatched police patrols to the scene in an attempt to "manage" the situation.
The arrival of law enforcement did not deter more citizens from joining, creating a tense atmosphere until the Ministry of Tourism issued an urgent statement to debunk the rumor.
"The Ministry of Tourism states that the news circulating in some media and digital platforms about the supposed distribution of donations at hotels in the country following Hurricane Melissa is false," the announcement declared.
"We urge citizens and media outlets not to disseminate false information that could cause confusion."
The statement further clarified that MINTUR is not the entity responsible for managing donations, advising the public to heed only official communications from competent authorities.
This episode highlights the pervasive desperation in the island and how misinformation spreads rapidly in an environment where lack of government transparency fuels rumors and an exhausted populace clings to any promise of aid.
Following MINTUR's announcement, Giménez responded swiftly. "The end justifies the means... Let's see if third time's the charm and some learn to locate me. I'm in a creative opposition, not a conformist one, exploring uncharted territories because the known ones offer no solutions," he posted on Facebook.
The latest hoax by Ignacio Giménez not only exposed the forced gullibility of a desperate populace but also the fragility of official communication in Cuba, where information censorship creates fertile ground for confusion and deceit.
Understanding the Impact of Misinformation in Cuba
What prompted the crowd to gather at Cuban hotels?
A false rumor, circulated by Ignacio Giménez, claimed that $1,100 would be distributed at hotels as aid after Hurricane Melissa, leading to a large turnout.
How did the Ministry of Tourism respond to the rumor?
The Ministry of Tourism issued an urgent statement denying the rumor and clarified that they are not responsible for handling donations.
Why is misinformation so impactful in Cuba?
The lack of transparency and official communication in Cuba creates an environment where misinformation can spread quickly, as people are desperate for any promise of relief.