Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and a former spy celebrated by the Cuban government as one of the "Five Heroes," recently attempted to draw parallels between the United States and Cuba by posting an aerial photograph of a protest-filled Times Square. However, his effort backfired.
On Facebook, Hernández shared an image from the massive "No Kings" protests on March 28, which saw millions rallying across over 3,000 locations in all 50 U.S. states.
He captioned the photo with: "Without a suffocating blockade, and without forced blackouts, hundreds of thousands of Americans take to the streets to protest against the #Trump dictatorship. Is the USA a failed state?" His post included hashtags like #NoKings, #Cuba, #CDRCuba, and #CubaNoSeRinde, aiming to depict the U.S. as a country in turmoil akin to Cuba. However, Cuban netizens responded with sarcasm and irony.
Irina Diéguez Toledo sharply replied, "Don't give ideas," implying that such images might inspire a weary Cuban populace to protest against their own oppressive conditions.
Other users also critiqued Hernández's message by contrasting the two systems. Elizabeth González Aznar pointed out that protests in the U.S. are a sign of democracy and questioned whether Cubans could demonstrate freely without facing repercussions.
Similarly, journalist Iliana Hernández noted that if the U.S. were a dictatorship, citizens wouldn't be able to protest, highlighting that these demonstrations occur precisely because of the freedoms available there.
Keiler Sánchez commented that he would only believe such comparisons when Cubans can exercise the same rights in their country, while Brayan Nodarae questioned whether anyone in Cuba could protest without ending up in jail, unlike in the U.S.
Meanwhile, David FA emphasized the absurdity of comparing the two realities, reminding that in the U.S., protests are part of the citizens' rights, whereas in Cuba, following the July 11, 2021 demonstrations, the response was repression, arrests, and fear.
The "No Kings" protests marked the third national movement against President Donald Trump, with up to nine million participants nationwide, according to organizers. The movement criticizes Trump's authoritarian style, conflicts with Iran, the rising cost of living, and immigration policies enforced by ICE.
In contrast, Cuba is grappling with a severe crisis characterized by widespread blackouts, food shortages, and suppressed public protests, making Hernández's attempt to use U.S. demonstrations for propaganda particularly ironic.
This incident is part of a recurring theme in Hernández's social media activities. In January, he inadvertently promoted the anti-government slogan "Enough! Cuba to the streets" by sharing a comparison of banners to discredit graffiti on Havana's Malecón.
In February, his attack on the El4tico project and comedian Andy Vázquez drew thousands of critical responses, resulting in the opposite effect he intended.
Last Wednesday, photos of him riding a pedicab in La Güinera were met with mockery: "clown imitating Sandro," "didn't move an inch for the photo," "people are hungry and miserable," wrote Cubans online.
Hernández was sentenced in 2001 to two life terms for conspiracy to commit espionage and murder, linked to the February 24, 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes, which killed four Cuban-American pilots.
He was released on December 17, 2014, as part of the thawing agreement between Barack Obama and Raúl Castro and has since risen in the regime's ranks, becoming the national coordinator of the CDR in April 2020.
His propagandistic posts consistently draw scorn and criticism from the Cuban community both inside and outside the island, often achieving the opposite of his intended defense of the regime.
Questions about Gerardo Hernández and Cuban Protests
Who is Gerardo Hernández Nordelo?
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo is a former Cuban spy known as one of the "Five Heroes" and currently serves as the national coordinator for Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR).
What was the purpose of the "No Kings" protests?
The "No Kings" protests were a national movement against President Donald Trump, criticizing his authoritarian style, conflicts with Iran, the rising cost of living, and ICE's immigration policies.
How did Cuban netizens react to Hernández's post?
Cuban netizens responded with sarcasm and criticism, highlighting the irony of comparing U.S. protests to Cuba's situation and questioning the freedom to protest in Cuba.