Young Activists from "Thinking Outside the Box" Counter "Con Filo": "Cuba's Situation Stems from Communism"

Young members of the project Thinking Outside the Box Cuba have publicly responded to the pro-government program Con Filo and its host, Michel Torres Corona, after being criticized on television as "evangelicals" and propagandists.

In a video shared on social media, the project's members directly challenged the accusations, condemning what they perceive as an attempt at defamation.

"Did you know that defamation is a crime? For someone who enjoys making up laws, do you realize it's illegal?" they stated.

The activists vehemently rejected comparisons to Nazis and criticism of their religious beliefs. "Compared to Nazis. And now we're labeled evangelical propagandists," they expressed with evident frustration.

Firm in their critical stance on Cuba's political regime, they argued, "Cuba's situation is tied to communism. Countries that adopted collectivist ideas ended up in poverty, hunger, and despair."

To back their claim, they cited historical episodes associated with communist regimes. "Remember Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward that led to 30 million deaths? Or Cambodia's famine wiping out 25% of its population, or Stalin's Holodomor in Ukraine with over 4 million victims?" they pointed out.

Instead of taking offense at the official labels, they insisted: "Being called evangelicals is not an insult. We stand united, sharing common values and, most importantly, the same cause."

Their message concluded with a direct challenge to Torres Corona: "I know you're a fan, but next time, do your homework."

The response came days after Michel Torres Corona attacked content creators critical of Cuba's political system on Con Filo, accusing them of downplaying the impact of the U.S. embargo.

"These young evangelicals... have echoed the worst and most outdated anti-communist propaganda, refusing to acknowledge what's undeniable for those with a global perspective," he claimed.

The host said it was offensive "to downplay this genocidal act out of ignorance or other interests... and don't believe what the evangelicals with their Trump hats say, they're more reactionary than Telemundo."

Following the program's broadcast, Thinking Outside the Box reported an intimidating incident.

In another video, they recounted how a man presented himself at their home as "an agent of the State Security, an agent of MININT," named Dainel Correa Quintana, under the guise of conducting "a sort of census" in the building.

They described the visit as "suspicious," adding that their father refused to provide any information. Allegedly, the supposed agent had also visited their grandmother's house, pretending to be a friend to locate them.

Undeterred, they reiterated their resolve: "We knew this was coming, that persecution could start anytime," asserting confidently, "We'll keep making videos... they won't intimidate or silence us."

The group, with over seven thousand Instagram followers, insists that dissent is not a crime. "Expressing one's views isn't illegal," they stated, reminding that "disagreement is not a crime, especially against a political project that's brought us so much misery."

The project's name, Thinking Outside the Box Cuba, encourages free thinking, unbound by singular ideologies. In a context dominated by official narratives, their challenge to the government's story has garnered support on social media but also backlash from regime supporters.

Amidst harassment and discredit, the young activists affirm they will continue defending their right to voice opinions and dissent, despite the pressure and disparagement.