The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) recently issued a warning indicating that the Cuban government is attempting to interfere in the upcoming 2024 U.S. elections. This interference is purportedly aimed at influencing votes in favor of President Biden and promoting pro-communist candidates at both local and congressional levels. An unnamed official from the ODNI noted that Cuba has historically engaged in such influence operations, particularly targeting candidates who may support policies favorable to the island’s communist regime. One of the regime’s primary concerns lies in U.S. policies such as the economic embargo and travel restrictions, which they perceive as efforts to destabilize their government.
Cuba’s grievances focus on the longstanding economic embargo that limits some business interactions between the two countries but does not impede humanitarian aid. The embargo has been a rallying cry for the Castro regime, which blames it for the country’s economic difficulties. Ironically, while the embargo restricts U.S. firms from direct interactions with the Cuban government, it does not stop Americans from traveling to Cuba. However, restrictions imposed by the Cuban Communist Party on citizens’ travel, especially to the U.S., further illustrate the regime’s tight control over personal freedoms. Many believe the Cuban government seeks to dismantle these policies to secure access to American markets and resources, enhancing their power while shielding their luxurious lifestyles.
The ODNI identified Cuba as part of a broader cohort, including Russia and China, known for election interference, with a particular focus on local races in Florida. The agency noted that Havana perceives influence operations as essential for advocating its positions on policy issues. Florida is highlighted as a strategic target due to its significant Cuban American population, making it easier for the regime to mold political narratives and engage with supportive candidates, as observed during the 2020 elections. Notably, Cuba’s attempts at influence are tailored based on candidates’ stances regarding Cuba-related policies.
Moreover, the ODNI report pointed to an increase in disinformation campaigns initiated by Havana, aimed at undermining trust in the U.S electoral process and fueling internal divisions. Officials emphasized that this strategy is a potent tool for the Cuban government, enabling them to propagate their pro-communist agenda and challenge political adversaries. In recent months, the Cuban regime’s overt actions, such as media campaigns and direct engagement with leftist activists in the U.S., have indicated a strategic alignment with certain political groups promoting communism.
The Cuban government’s criticism of the Trump administration’s policies, particularly regarding economic restrictions placed on Cuba, illustrates their direct engagement in American politics. Publications such as Granma, the official newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party, have vocally opposed actions taken against the regime, showcasing their disdain for U.S. policies perceived as harmful. Furthermore, high-ranking officials of the Cuban Communist Party have initiated direct dialogues with leftist groups in the U.S., attempting to create alliances that would support their agenda and exacerbate political polarization.
Additionally, conspiracies and coordinated efforts have emerged through social media platforms, where the Cuban government has allegedly utilized automated accounts to disseminate propaganda while posing as ordinary citizens. Such tactics, unearthed by human rights organizations, illustrate the lengths the regime will go to manipulate public perception both domestically and abroad. This combination of direct political engagement, grassroots organization with sympathetic factions, and digital campaigns indicates a multifaceted strategy by the Cuban government to secure influence in U.S. elections and pivot public opinion towards their ideological interests leading up to the critical 2024 electoral cycle.
