Cuban Communicator Fired for Facebook Post Criticizing Castro’s Use of José Martí’s Image

Guáimaro, Camagüey – Ewald Nieves Manduley, a cultural communicator with nearly 23 years of experience in the Municipal Cultural Sector of Guáimaro, Cuba, was dismissed from his position in early March 2026 following a post on his personal Facebook profile according to reports. The post questioned the historical manipulation of the figure of José Martí by Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution.

Retaliation for Expressing Opinion

The dismissal is being viewed as direct retaliation for Nieves Manduley’s expressed opinion. The Facebook post, which did not originate from an official channel, criticized the regime’s appropriation of Martí’s ideology as a pillar of its historical legitimacy as reported by CubitaNOW. This incident highlights a pattern of political control in Cuba, where expressing views outside the official narrative can have severe professional consequences.

Coordinated Response from Officials

According to a complaint filed by Cubalex, a legal organization, the dismissal was not a spontaneous decision. Kenny Ortigas Guerrero, the provincial director of Culture in Camagüey, reportedly met with the Mayor of Guáimaro, Norge Suárez Tamayo, a State Security officer identified as “Frank ‘El Niño’,” and other officials at the headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba to coordinate actions against Nieves Manduley before formally proceeding with the dismissal as detailed by CiberCuba. This suggests a pre-planned operation orchestrated by state authorities.

Broader Pattern of Repression

This case is not isolated. In March 2026, another professional was expelled from the CUJAE (Higher Institute of Technological Sciences) for similar posts on social media, leading to student protests and condemnation from figures in Cuban culture as reported by CiberCuba. Workplace retaliation for expressing opinions on social media is a widespread form of political control in Cuba. Decree-Law 370 has been identified by Human Rights Watch as a tool used to restrict freedom of expression online by penalizing opinions voiced on personal digital platforms.

Escalating Repressive Practices

Reports indicate a sustained escalation of repressive practices in Cuba, including dismissals, harassment, arbitrary detentions, and systematic censorship. Cubalex’s semiannual report on human rights documented over 1,200 violations in the second half of 2025 according to CiberCuba. The case of Ewald Nieves Manduley underscores how state employment in Cuba can be contingent on political obedience, with expressing dissenting opinions potentially leading to the loss of livelihood.

Cubalex on X similarly reported on the dismissal of Nieves Manduley.