Cuban Television News (NTV) has once again stumbled with a glaring error in its propaganda message. During the annual campaign against the U.S. embargo, a subtitle aired that read, "U.S. embargo on Cuba does not prevent the island's people from surrendering," completely contradicting the regime's longstanding narrative.
The video, which was broadcast on October 12 during the prime-time slot, quickly garnered 3,600 views on Canal Caribe's official YouTube channel before the phrase was removed.
The blunder soon went viral. Cuban playwright and exiled activist Yunior García Aguilera shared it on Facebook with a dose of biting irony: "Cuban Television News, where it seems no one has passed high school Spanish, has gifted us this gem of revolutionary journalism."
García Aguilera didn't stop there. "After decades of proclaiming that the Cuban people will never surrender, NTV has just acknowledged they do. And to top it off, that the U.S. embargo hasn't been able to stop it," he wrote.
The activist speculated that the regime's propagandists likely meant to convey the opposite message, attributing the mishap to "an overload of slogans, the exodus of professionals, and the decay of the education system," which seemingly left them without semantic advisors.
The online reactions were a flood of sarcasm. "Their subconscious betrayed them," one user commented. Another declared, "Communism as the ultimate expression of mediocrity." A third remarked, "What can you expect from these illiterate fools? Floundering in incompetence, they outdo themselves in shoddiness every time."
Speculations about internal repercussions also emerged. "Heads will roll!" one internet user warned. Another wondered aloud with laughter, "They must be figuring out who made that blunder!" A user suggested the perfect scapegoat: "Now they'll probably blame ChatGPT for the mistake."
Comments pointing to structural issues were also present. "The PCC scriptwriters, who prepare the controlled media content, seem to be affected by the mass exodus, retirements, and deaths," noted one user.
Another added, "There is talent left in Cuba, but most have retired or are abroad. The talented majority are not conformists, and that comes with consequences." One more, with dark humor, concluded, "Look at the Commander's face trying to understand the parable."
This incident is not isolated. NTV previously displayed "DESICIÓN" during a 2021 segment, and official government accounts have published errors like "mamiobras," "alrrededor," and "Bienbenidos" in past years.
Even Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz wrote "sensillez" on X in 2020.
The video was part of the regime's annual campaign against the U.S. embargo, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly vote scheduled for October 29, 2026. It's unlikely the regime anticipated that its latest piece of propaganda would end up being the best ammunition for its critics.
Impact of Cuban TV News Error
How did Cuban Television News make such a significant error?
The mistake is attributed to a combination of factors including the overuse of slogans, a shortage of professionals due to an exodus, and a decline in the education system, which left the network without proper semantic advisors.
What was the public's reaction to the NTV error?
The public reacted with sarcasm and humor, with many mocking the mistake and speculating about potential internal repercussions. The error was widely shared and criticized online.
Are such mistakes common in Cuban media?
Yes, similar mistakes have occurred before, such as the misspelling of words in government accounts and previous NTV broadcasts, indicating a recurring issue within the media system.