Anti-Communist Campaign in Cuba
On Wednesday, marking the anniversary of independence from Spain, anti-communist rebels across Cuba launched a campaign calling for divine assistance to free the island and seeking support from President Donald Trump.
The initiative involved Cubans on the island displaying signs that read, “God Save Cuba, SOS Trump.” Publicly endorsing the U.S. president and opposing the Communist Party is perilous in Cuba, where the Castro regime harshly punishes any dissent. Reports indicate that the government conducts public assaults and mass arrests against those perceived as opposition, often accusing them of vague “crimes” like “disrespect” or “disturbing public order.” Political dissidents have long documented severe torture and deprivation among political prisoners.
This “SOS Trump” campaign follows a resurgence of social unrest throughout Cuba over the last decade, particularly after the pro-freedom protests of July 11, 2021. Since that pivotal day, protests have continued, with estimates suggesting around 190,000 participants demanding respect for human rights and a better quality of life, which has been largely unattainable under the 67 years of communist governance.
Interestingly, this growing dissent has coincided with an increase in public expressions of faith. Within Cuba, the government maintains an openly atheist stance, often violently suppressing religious expressions, especially among Christians. Recently, gatherings have been organized to protest the severe persecution of Christians imposed by the regime and to pray for intervention in Cuba.
An image sent to Breitbart News by the Cuban Resistance Association depicts individuals holding up signs calling for President Trump’s assistance to end what they deem communist tyranny. These images, many shared anonymously due to the inherent risks, were reportedly captured in various locations around the island such as Pinar del Río, Marianao, and Camaguey.
A group of protesters displayed American flags alongside significant signs in front of a statue of Cuba’s founding father, José Martí. One sign urged the overthrow of the “corrupt and brutal communist dictatorship” and demanded a national strike against the Cuban Communist Party. It also identified regime leaders and insisted they leave Cuba, expressing the sentiment that the Cuban people oppose them.
Orlando Gutiérrez Boronatto, from the General Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, emphasized to Breitbart that the protestors and their underground factions, which include those favoring military intervention, are appealing for support from the United States.
He mentioned, “They are perhaps hoping that God will dismantle the nefarious forces sustaining Castro’s dictatorship and compel President Trump to apprehend fugitive dictator Raul Castro.”
In a related update, the Justice Department announced on the same day that Raul Castro had been indicted in a U.S. court concerning the 1996 killings of four Cuban Americans involved in rescue missions for Cubans fleeing communism. Those men were part of Brothers to the Rescue, a Florida-based organization known for conducting international flights to assist Cuban refugees.
While they were on a rescue mission, Cuban military forces shot down their aircraft, resulting in all four casualties. Castro is now facing multiple charges, including murder and conspiracy to murder American citizens, with potential penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that this marks a historic moment, with Cuban regime leaders held accountable in the U.S. for violence that led to American fatalities. He stated, “We will pursue justice for those who kill Americans, regardless of their title.”
On the occasion of Independence Day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared a message in Spanish, addressing Cubans and expressing the Trump administration’s policy positions geared toward fostering prosperity in a liberated Cuba.
Rubio remarked, “Today, we remember when Cuba first became independent, yet I realize that many of you are enduring unimaginable struggles thanks to the regime’s corrupt practices.” He criticized how government funds, which could help maintain infrastructure, are being diverted to luxurious projects benefiting regime insiders instead.
He concluded by acknowledging the remarkable success of Cubans globally, in contrast to their current circumstances within Cuba itself.
