The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has joined the coordinated campaign to exert pressure on Cuba. On Saturday, SOUTHCOM used its official X account to share a statement from its commander, General Francis L. Donovan, amplifying the CIA's call for Cubans to cooperate with the intelligence agency.
"The future of Cuba belongs to those who take action. Seize the moment to create the change you wish to see. No more broken promises, rampant corruption, or indulging an elite class living in luxury while citizens are neglected. Now is the time," Donovan expressed in a post, which directly retweets the CIA's previous message in Spanish.
This marks the first time SOUTHCOM has explicitly joined an intelligence recruitment appeal directed at citizens of a foreign nation.
Coordinated Efforts for Change
SOUTHCOM's action is the third link in a public and synchronized chain. On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans on social media to "quietly collaborate with the CIA" to foster "positive change." Hours later, the CIA released a nearly identical message in Spanish, along with a two-minute video and a seven-step operational guide on Instagram.
The CIA's detailed guide includes security advice such as using a VPN not based in Cuba, Russia, Iran, China, or any country deemed hostile to the United States; browsing in incognito mode; creating disposable emails; and deleting browsing history.
The agency also requested that those who reach out provide their city and country of residence, job position, level of access to information, and secure contact details.
Unprecedented Public Coordination
Analysts have described the public coordination between the State Department and the CIA as an unprecedented move, marking the first time a Secretary of State has openly called for the recruitment of informants in a foreign country through social media.
This development comes amidst a sustained escalation. In August, the New York Times disclosed the formation of a secret CIA task force dedicated solely to Cuba, elevating it to "Priority 1" status, on par with China, Iran, and Russia.
Earlier in May, Donovan had met with high-ranking Cuban military officials at the Guantanamo Naval Base perimeter.
Response from the Cuban Regime
The Cuban regime responded with defiant rhetoric. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío dismissed the call as a sign of "desperation" and likened the CIA's offer to toothpaste advertisements.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla was more direct: "Our coasts have beautiful beaches, but also rocky shores," he warned, referring to those arriving "with hostile intentions and aspirations of domination."
Meanwhile, Cuban-American Congressman Carlos A. Giménez applauded the initiative, stating, "The regime in Havana must be consigned to the dustbin of history, and I know that day is closer than ever."
Exploring the Impact of U.S. Actions on Cuba
What is the significance of SOUTHCOM's involvement in the CIA's call to Cubans?
SOUTHCOM's involvement marks the first time the command has explicitly participated in an intelligence recruitment effort aimed at citizens of a foreign country, highlighting the coordinated approach to influence change in Cuba.
How did the Cuban government respond to these initiatives?
The Cuban government responded with defiance, dismissing the initiative as desperate and comparing it to trivial advertisements, while also warning against foreign interference.
What are the instructions given by the CIA for potential collaborators?
The CIA advised potential collaborators to use secure methods, including non-Cuban VPNs, incognito browsing, disposable emails, and provided a guide for securely contacting the agency.