Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and one of the so-called "Five Heroes" of the Cuban regime, hinted on Tuesday at the possibility of pursuing legal action against those accusing him of owning the small enterprise "El Mercadito." This development marks a new chapter in his ongoing exchange with Cuban content creator Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, also known as Anna Bensi.
In a Facebook post, Hernández commented, "Communism is 'so bad' that anyone can get paid (in dollars!) for spreading lies without evidence and without worrying about legal repercussions," alongside the hashtags #Cuba, #CDRCuba, and #CubaNoSeRinde.
His message included an image featuring the "El Mercadito" logo and the phrase: "Please, cyber mercenaries, provide the address of the market that's 'mine'... let's see if I can drop by today!" supplemented with several emojis.
This post came days after Anna Bensi publicly questioned the alleged connection between the official and the private business, pointing out what she perceives as a contradiction between his political rhetoric and the alleged ownership of a company.
Anna Bensi's Defiant Reply
Bensi responded a few hours later from her account on X, saying, "Gerardo, one of the five spies, says anyone now gets paid in dollars for lying. Are those liars among us? Because, as far as I know, the liars being paid in dollars are all of them. The leaders. The same ones who accuse but were the ones who dollarized the country. 'The Revolution of the few and for the good of the few,'" she wrote.
She concluded her message with the hashtags #OjaláMePagaran, #AbajoLaDictaduraCastrista, and #Libertad.
Ongoing Tensions
The exchange began on June 28, when Hernández shared a meme suggesting that critics of communism are paid to do so, along with an image related to the activist.
The following day, Bensi took to Facebook to challenge the lifestyle of the official, once again referencing "El Mercadito."
"Would the spy achieve that with what he's paid for saying communism is good? I hope not... because his lifestyle is quite capitalist," she remarked.
She also joked about the prospect of working in "one of his small enterprises," adding, "I wish I got paid for speaking the truth. However, many are paid for lying. Double standards."
This isn't the first time Hernández has faced scrutiny over his lifestyle. In December 2021, he was criticized for appearing with a Specialized bicycle valued at several thousand dollars, and in January 2026, he stirred controversy again with a photograph showing him wearing a Rolex watch while holding a Soviet-made machine gun.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gerardo Hernández and Anna Bensi's Controversy
Who is Gerardo Hernández Nordelo?
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo is the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) in Cuba and one of the "Five Heroes" celebrated by the Cuban regime.
What sparked the legal threat from Gerardo Hernández towards Anna Bensi?
The legal threat arose after accusations surfaced suggesting Hernández owned the small enterprise "El Mercadito," which Anna Bensi publicly questioned, highlighting a perceived contradiction in his political stance.
How did Anna Bensi respond to Gerardo Hernández's accusations?
Anna Bensi responded defiantly by questioning the integrity of Cuban leaders and highlighting what she sees as hypocrisy in their actions, while using hashtags to underscore her stance against the regime.