He loyalty pact between Havana and Moscow unleashed, during the month of May, a whole series of rumors about the consequences of this rapprochement and the future plans of the Kremlin for the Island. Apart from what both the official and independent press have verified, the Users of social networks disclosed a series of “conspiracies”, denounced alleged murders and gave an account of a whole Russian “agenda” that Cuba agreed, in theory, to comply with.
At the focus of the rumors – even among users from other countries – was the death of the Secretary of State and Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Petr Kucherenko, who died on the return trip from the Island to his country.
Although nothing seemed to objectively justify the accusation of murder, several speculated that it was a “favor” from Cuban counterintelligence to Vladimir Putin, since Kucherenko, 46, had expressed – according to some sources – his disapproval of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. . The official was part of the large delegation that accompanied Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernishenko to celebrate various agreements between the two countries and strengthen relations in multiple sectors.
Although nothing seemed to objectively justify the murder accusation, several speculated that it was a “favor” from Cuban counterintelligence to Vladimir Putin.
The rumor that circulated the most during the month reports on the terms of this alliance, described in a long WhatsApp message with numerous details of alleged operations that Russia would have in preparation in Cuba.
Claiming to find out from a “reliable source” at the top of the regime, the writer of the message listed the conditions for carrying out the “Cuban version of Russian partner capitalism.” Among the predictions are the approval of the use of cryptocurrencies when it suits Moscow, the manipulation of Cuban emigration with a view to investing in the Island and the installation of military bases. At the bottom of the message is the analogy of the current situation with the old link between Cuba and the Soviet Union, which, the message assumes, both governments are trying to reactivate.
In the background, the rumor circulated that a delegation from the Cuban regime, including several soldiers, met in Palestine with the jihadist group Hamas. The objective: to support and provide advice so that the terrorists strengthen their attacks on Israel. Although Hamas’s link with Havana has been commented on several times, its return seems aimed at arguing the inclusion of Cuba among the countries that sponsor terrorism, prepared by the US State Department.
Users reproduce or narrate events of violent robberies, increased begging and assaults in their own homes
The barrage of rumors about crime on the Island continues to grow. Users reproduce or narrate events of robberies with violence, an increase in begging and assaults in their own homes. Even the official press – always imprecisely and with the authorization of the Ministry of the Interior – has covered some of the most recent robberies and murders. However, there are few references to the banditry that has taken over the countryside and no mention of muggings, both night and day, in the cities.
As an indicator of the enormous social inequality on the island, numerous users published the photograph of a Tesla electric car, whose price ranges between 50,000 and 100,000 dollars in the US, and assured that it was “running through Havana.” Although the photo did not correspond to a Cuban street, since it was shared, the message that accompanied the image was outrage over the scandal that a high-end vehicle circulated in a country affected by enormous poverty and widespread scarcity. And also, electrical, when the population is suffering constant blackouts.
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