A Cuban man named Jorge Luis Lorenzo has taken to Facebook, appealing directly to President Díaz-Canel. In his video, he urged the leader to deploy a special envoy or officer to the provincial capital of Sancti Spíritus to apprehend what he described as "a group of counter-revolutionaries."
Lorenzo warns that without action from the government, the situation might escalate into violence or even death, hinting at potential dire consequences if left unresolved.
The video presents a striking contradiction: Lorenzo uses the regime's official rhetoric to accuse local adversaries, including the provincial party, of being counter-revolutionary. "They are all counter-revolutionaries... the provincial party," he declares during his recording.
Local Rights and Government Tensions
Despite his loyalty, Lorenzo claims his own rights have been trampled upon, stating, "My human rights have been violated here; there is no respect for anything, and it's a complete disaster." He further alleges that local authorities disregard Díaz-Canel himself and warns of potential government overthrow if constitutional respect is not upheld.
Growing Political and Social Tensions
Lorenzo's plea underscores a recurring phenomenon in Cuba: citizens who, while professing allegiance to the system, use social media to accuse neighbors or local officials of being counter-revolutionaries, seeking intervention from the nation's top leadership.
Sancti Spíritus has recently seen escalating political and social strife. Earlier this year, State Security arrested a pastor in Cabaiguán during a peaceful religious protest. This month, reports emerged of a police patrol monitoring the home of a political prisoner's father linked to the 11J protests in the province.
In November 2025, activists reported that the regime attempted to block a donation of medications intended for 700 people in the same province. Additionally, June 2025 saw the appearance of an "Down with the Dictatorship" sign in a central corner of Sancti Spíritus, which was swiftly removed by Interior Ministry agents.
Internalizing Regime Rhetoric
The term "counter-revolutionary" is deeply embedded in the regime's discourse, traditionally used to criminalize dissent. That a citizen uses it to advocate for repression against neighbors and the provincial party itself highlights how ingrained this language has become among certain population sectors, revealing internal contradictions eroding the system's social base.
In February this year, it was revealed that a Cuban professor was sentenced to 10 years in prison for writing slogans against Díaz-Canel, a case also involving Sancti Spíritus.
Understanding the Complexities of Sancti Spíritus
What prompted Jorge Luis Lorenzo to appeal to Díaz-Canel?
Jorge Luis Lorenzo urged Díaz-Canel to intervene in Sancti Spíritus to arrest individuals he labeled as "counter-revolutionaries," fearing unresolved tensions could lead to violence or casualties.
How has Sancti Spíritus been affected by political tensions?
Sancti Spíritus has experienced heightened political and social tensions, with incidents such as the arrest of a pastor during a peaceful protest and attempts to thwart humanitarian efforts, reflecting deep-rooted unrest.