Cuban journalist Mario J. Pentón released a video delivering a scathing rebuttal to Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, branding him as the most inept spy in Cuban history.
The exchange was sparked by a post from Hernández on his "Gerardo de Los Cinco" profile, where he criticized those who mock from over 90 miles away at people preparing to defend their country with whatever they have, even if it's just their fingernails. This was a clear jab at Pentón after sharing images mocking the so-called "armed oxen" presented by the Cuban military during territorial defense exercises.
"So here comes the most mediocre spy in Cuban history. You know what for? To attack me," Pentón stated in the video, which garnered over 134,000 views within hours.
Pentón rejected the implicit coward label that Hernández threw at him, reminding him of his questionable effectiveness as a spy from the start: "This spy, who the United States had already recorded and identified before capturing, calls me a coward because, according to him, I haven't had the courage to liberate Cuba."
The journalist also accused the Cuban State Security of systematically targeting him: "The State Security has handed over numerous reports about me, reports they've made by interrogating my family, interrogating my friends, scrutinizing every aspect of my life, conducting smear campaigns against me."
Pentón highlighted specific cases of regime repression that, according to him, reveal the true cowardice: the harassment of Yoani Sánchez to prevent her from reporting the Cuban reality, the bullying of young Ana Bensi and her mother, the imprisonment of 16- and 17-year-olds in Ciego de Ávila, and the jailing of Sulmira and other Cubans for criticizing the government on Facebook.
The most potent moment in the video came when Pentón reminded Hernández of his role in the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes on February 24, 1996: "You know you have the blood of four innocent people on your hands, who were murdered by that regime aboard civilian planes over international waters."
Hernández was sentenced in the United States to two life terms plus 15 months for his involvement in the so-called "Operation Venice," which facilitated the downing resulting in four deaths.
Pentón also referenced the downfall of Nicolás Maduro, captured by U.S. forces in January 2026: "Maduro is sitting in a federal prison due to the incompetence of people like you, your group."
This wasn't the duo's first clash. Back in May 2025, Hernández had already publicly attacked Pentón on social media following Pentón's encounter with spy Fernando González Llort at Barajas Airport in Madrid.
Pentón concluded his video with a straightforward remark: "Yes, you're right. I'm not a neighborhood tough guy, but Gerardo, you guys, you are the cowards. You are the cowardly bullies of power."
Gerardo Hernández and Mario Pentón: A Heated Exchange
What was the catalyst for Mario Pentón's video response?
The video was a response to Gerardo Hernández's social media post, where he criticized those mocking Cuba's defense efforts, directly targeting Pentón for his satirical take on Cuban military exercises.
How did Mario Pentón criticize Gerardo Hernández?
Pentón called Hernández the most inept spy in Cuban history and highlighted specific instances of state repression to underline the regime's true cowardice.
What historical event did Pentón remind Hernández of?
Pentón reminded Hernández of his involvement in the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes, resulting in the deaths of four innocent people.