Joel Queipo Ruiz, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Holguín, recently spoke out regarding the arrest of young individuals involved in the independent audiovisual project known as El4tico.
In a Facebook post, Queipo criticized Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas, describing them as having "innocent faces with the soul of traitorous invaders."
El4tico, a dissenting platform born in Holguín, is where Medina and Zayas scrutinize the regime from a modest room turned into a studio, blending analysis and critiques of Cuba's sociopolitical landscape.
With a substantial online following, the platform has emerged as one of the most prominent alternative voices within Cuba.
However, according to Queipo Ruiz, the project does not prioritize the people's welfare but instead "serves imperial interests."
The communist leader contends that despite their portrayal as innocent and as human rights advocates, they actually encourage defiance against the constitutional order and support military intervention in Cuba.
"They are not merely content creators or young people disagreeing with the revolutionary process; they are individuals following an agenda with enemy interests," he emphasized.
He further accused them of operating with a "manual to overthrow the Cuban Revolution, financed by millions of dollars."
"The Cuban people will never allow mercenaries to strip away our freedom and sovereignty with imperial interests. It is not just a favor; it is a right of the nation to safeguard its independence," he emphasized.
He concluded by invoking Fidel and Raúl Castro, stating that "there will be no place for those who appear innocent but have sold their souls to invaders."
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding El4tico
What is El4tico?
El4tico is an independent audiovisual project based in Holguín, Cuba, known for its critical analysis and commentary on Cuba's sociopolitical issues.
Why were the young activists arrested?
The activists were arrested due to their involvement in El4tico, which the government claims is aligned with imperial interests and incites constitutional defiance.