Former spy Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, who serves as the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and is recognized as one of the so-called "Five Heroes," addressed a report by America TeVe on Facebook this Wednesday. The report highlighted President Donald Trump's increasing frustration with the Cuban regime's ability to remain in power despite months of economic and political pressure from Washington.
The America TeVe report indicated that Trump is struggling to achieve tangible results in Cuba "despite months of economic and political pressure driven by Washington."
Hernández, using his profile "Gerardo de Los Cinco," responded with a succinct yet pointed remark: "Always poorly advised on everything related to Cuba, they underestimate our people, and then they're surprised..."
The post was accompanied by hashtags such as #Cuba, #CDRCuba, #LaPatriaSeDefiende, and #CubaNoEstáSola, aligning with the Cuban official narrative of resistance that has been increasingly emphasized in recent months.
Hernández's response comes amid a period of sustained U.S. pressure. Since January 2026, Washington has imposed over 240 new sanctions on Cuba, blocked oil supplies to the island, and threatened secondary tariffs on countries supplying energy to the regime.
The effects have been severe, with Cuban energy imports dropping by 80% to 90%, leading to power outages exceeding 20 hours daily, affecting more than 55% of the territory, and causing an economic contraction projected by international analysts.
Just this past Tuesday, Trump labeled Cuba as a "failed nation" and suggested that the United States might "take control" of the island in the near future, according to international media reports.
Officials from his administration have conveyed the belief that the Cuban regime might collapse by the end of 2026 without the need for direct military intervention.
Hernández has consistently been a vocal proponent of the official Cuban stance against these pressures. On April 25, he led the symbolic tribunal "I Accuse Imperialism" in La Güinera, Havana, and on May 9, the CDR formally launched "My Neighborhood for the Homeland," a mobilization structure with three fronts.
His pattern of response remains unchanged: discrediting external analyses of Cuba as products of ignorance or poor advisement while reaffirming the narrative of popular resistance against Washington's pressures.
In a prior publication, Hernández had already questioned whether Trump truly understands the situation in Cuba, maintaining the same line as his recent statements.
As the regime continues to roll out internal mobilization campaigns and its public figures dismiss external analyses, the Cuban people endure an unprecedented energy and economic crisis, with power outages exceeding 20 hours daily across much of the country.
Understanding U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What are the recent U.S. sanctions on Cuba?
Since January 2026, over 240 new sanctions have been imposed by the U.S., targeting Cuba's economy and oil supply, significantly impacting the island's energy imports and leading to severe power outages.
How has Cuba been affected by these sanctions?
Cuba has experienced a dramatic drop in energy imports, between 80% and 90%, resulting in power outages lasting over 20 hours daily, affecting more than half of the country and leading to economic contraction.
What is Gerardo Hernández's role in the Cuban regime?
Gerardo Hernández is a prominent figure within the Cuban regime, serving as the national coordinator for the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and frequently voicing opposition to U.S. policies towards Cuba.