Comedian Ulises Toirac has expressed his frustration with what he describes as "mindless people" in Cuba, following large gatherings sparked by false news of monetary aid distribution at hotels.
"The fake news about supposed aid being distributed at hotels has served to highlight the sheer number of mindless people in this country," commented Toirac, who is known for his sharp critiques of Cuban reality.
He further explained, "It's simple math: no one here hands out aid off the books. The hotel chains in Cuba are struggling due to low tourism numbers and must maintain their relationship with the host country's government."
Toirac urged his fellow citizens to "connect their brains."
"Folks, plug in your brains for a day. Things are the way they are largely because people are running on empty. And forgive me, but those who went are extremely gullible. Social media is full of garbage; don't let it into your brain," he concluded.
In a later comment, the comedian attributed the situation to the "credulity with which content from social networks is swallowed, despite clear signs of manipulation."
False Rumor Sparks Mass Movement
On Saturday morning, hundreds of Cubans flocked to various hotels, believing they would receive $1,100 in aid after Hurricane Melissa. This rumor, spread by Spaniard Ignacio Giménez, led to a massive turnout, forcing the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) to publicly refute the supposed cash handout.
Incidents were reported in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, with both cities experiencing an unusual influx of people outside government-run hotels. From as early as six a.m., residents and passersby began gathering discreetly, enticed by a social media post promising "economic aid" at major tourist facilities.
Disinformation and Consequences
Ignacio Giménez, notorious for spreading falsehoods about Cuba on social media, was behind the recent rumor of Raúl Castro's death and has once again captured the Cuban public's attention with similar tactics. His post claimed that "starting at 8:00 a.m.," teams in yellow shirts would distribute $1,100 per person, and even state television would cover the event.
The completely unfounded news quickly spread through Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada confirmed that the mobilization in Santiago was a direct result of the hoax and criticized the vulnerability of Cubans, where a simple rumor can rally hundreds.
"The people, battered by crisis and desperation, fell once more into the misinformation trap," Mayeta wrote. "Meanwhile, the government responds with patrols to a problem that didn't arise from the people, but from deceit."
As the crowd grew, authorities dispatched police patrols to manage the situation, but their presence did little to stop more citizens from arriving, leading to a tense atmosphere until the Ministry of Tourism issued an urgent statement debunking the rumor.
"The Ministry of Tourism informs that the news circulating in some media and digital platforms about the alleged distribution of donations in hotels following Hurricane Melissa is false," the statement read.
"We urge citizens and media outlets not to spread false information that can cause confusion. The statement also clarified that MINTUR is not the entity responsible for handling donations and urged the public to rely solely on official communications from competent authorities."
FAQ on the False Hotel Aid Rumor in Cuba
What sparked the mass gathering at Cuban hotels?
The gathering was sparked by a false rumor spread on social media, claiming that $1,100 of aid would be distributed at hotels after Hurricane Melissa.
Who was behind the false rumor about hotel aid?
The rumor was propagated by Ignacio Giménez, who is known for spreading false information about Cuba on social media.
How did the Cuban government respond to the rumor?
The Cuban government, through the Ministry of Tourism, issued a statement debunking the rumor and clarified that no such aid distribution was taking place.