Miguel Díaz-Canel Claims "Psychological Warfare" Amidst Crackdown on Cuban Journalists and Critics

Miguel Díaz-Canel has once again resorted to rhetoric involving "psychological warfare," "subversion," and external adversaries to articulate the mounting challenges faced by the Cuban regime from social media, independent media outlets, and the flow of information beyond state control.

"We are living through the most perilous time since the Cuban Missile Crisis," declared the leader, asserting that Cuba is under a "high-intensity unconventional warfare" through "digital subversion," "funding of internal mercenaries," "media discredit campaigns," and "influence networks."

Díaz-Canel also connected these claims to recent reports from U.S. media about increased CIA operations concerning Cuba.

"These are not random leaks as they are presented, but part of the deliberate plan of psychological warfare by the U.S. government against Cuba," he stated.

The Struggle for Control of Information

For many decades, the Cuban state maintained near-total control over the information disseminated within the island.

The advent of the Internet, social media, and independent media outlets has chipped away at this monopoly, enabling complaints, protests, and everyday issues to reach millions without passing through the official filter.

International organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented arbitrary detentions, interrogations, threats, movement restrictions, confiscation of equipment, and other forms of harassment against journalists, activists, and critics in Cuba.

In his speech, Díaz-Canel referred to breaking through a supposed "fascist media blockade" and urged to "contest cultural hegemony" and confront what he termed a "disinformation machinery."

The Contradiction in the Official Narrative

The contradiction is hard to ignore: the government asserts its right to engage in a political and ideological battle over narratives but labels those who challenge its version of reality as engaging in "subversion" or acting as "mercenaries."

Why not respond to journalism with journalism? Why not allow private and independent media within Cuba? Why not acknowledge pluralism and accept that criticizing the government is not synonymous with acting against the state?

And most importantly, how long will the regime continue to invoke external enemies to discredit the voices of a society that also demands the right to express itself without state permission?

The Implications of Being Labeled "Mercenaries"

The term "internal mercenaries" used by Díaz-Canel carries particularly grave connotations in the Cuban context.

The current Penal Code does indeed define the crime of mercenarism in Article 135, linking it to engagement or collaboration with military formations or private military companies operating in another state. It does not automatically categorize a journalist as a mercenary for working with a foreign media outlet or receiving foreign remuneration.

Nevertheless, independent journalists have long reported that State Security agents threaten them with accusations of "mercenarism." CiberCuba has documented cases like that of journalist Yoe Suárez, who reported receiving such threats in 2021.

The threat to independent press doesn't end there.

Article 143 of the Penal Code imposes prison sentences of four to ten years for specific behaviors related to providing, receiving, or possessing funds for activities deemed contrary to the Cuban state and its constitutional order.

This is compounded by charges such as propaganda against the constitutional order, incitement to commit a crime, contempt, or public disorder, used in various cases against opponents, activists, and critical citizens.

Charges like assault or resistance have also appeared in cases related to protests, though they require additional conduct and should not be confused with the exercise of journalism or freedom of expression.

The result is an environment where political labels can have very real consequences. When the nation's leader speaks of "internal mercenaries," he does so in a state where independent journalists have reported threats using the same term and where legal mechanisms exist that could lead to years of imprisonment.

When Will Cuba Embrace Pluralism?

Foreign intelligence operations can be investigated, and any government has the right to present evidence of illegal activities. However, this does not automatically transform journalists, activists, economists, content creators, or critical citizens into foreign agents.

If Díaz-Canel believes a piece of information to be false, he can present evidence to refute it. If he thinks a media outlet is manipulative, he can demonstrate it publicly. What is incompatible with a free press is systematically turning dissent into suspicion of subversion.

The Cuban regime could start with something much simpler than denouncing another "psychological warfare": allowing the diverse voices of Cuban society to express themselves, organize, and practice journalism without fearing a summons from State Security.

After decades of "enemies," "mercenaries," "media campaigns," and foreign conspiracies, one question remains unanswered by the official discourse: when will the regime be willing to listen to Cubans who think differently without treating them as a threat?