Source: Juventud Rebelde
The startling allegations recently made by the AP investigation on the existence, for years, of a secret project of the International Development Agency of the United States (USAID) to create an alleged “Cuban Twitter” called ZunZuneo actually are just the tip of the iceberg of the massive subversive campaign mounted against Cuba.
The use of new
technologies and destabilizing purposes has
been tested on dirty operations in Libya, Syria,
Egypt and recently
in Ukraine and Venezuela. Photo: Raul Pupo
The use of shell companies from third countries, the diversion of money, hiring mercenaries disguised as technological entrepreneurs, both inside and outside of Cuba; mounting covert operations that violate U.S. laws, international telecommunications, and even the use of illegal funds without Congress even being informed of the northern country, seem to be common denominators of these operations.
Programs may have different names and come from multiple sources, from USAID itself, the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (IND) or the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), but all have the common goal for years, trying unsuccessfully to divide the people and overthrow the Cuban Revolution.
Spam networks
The Cuban mass SMS phones, whose numbers were fraudulently obtained, thereby violating the privacy of citizens and their own laws regulating communications in the United States were one of the key strategies used by ZunZuneo project.
Ever since that time, Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba, Etecsa, notified over 200 suppliers SMS Centers, officially informing them that some of these platforms were sending unwanted messages or “spam” behavior usually rejected by international operators .
Reports from Etecsa providers that Cubans received at the mobile platform a similar message will be undertaken with the SMS Center that originated the communication.
“We try to stop a very damaging situation for our networks, as congestion can create discomfort in people and cause major economic damage to the company. which will lose earnings as calls and messages cannot be sent or received by users’ explained Hilda Arias, center director of Etecsa Mobile Services to Juventud Rebelde.
However, ZunZuneo was not the only project that used this deceptive ploy, often involving shell companies located in third countries, where text messages are redirected toward Cuba.
Since 2011 the service called “Martinoticias” created by Radio and TV Marti, institution funded and promoted by the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), with the money of the American taxpayer is also violating telecommunications standards of that country and internationally.
Since April 13, 2011 Martinoticias made the first bulk SMS to Cuba, promoting the services of Radio Martí, a mercenary project dependent on U.S. government which violated several Cuban laws and the antispam law of the US.
The call CAN SPAM Act, Public Law 108-187 passed by the U.S. Congress in December 2003 and immediately signed by President George W. Bush himself, clearly forbids commercial or other messages being sent without the recipient thereof expressed consent.
However, promoters called Martinoticias, which also involves other subversive projects or Cubasincensura Journal of Cuba seem to believe that when it comes to the island, they are above all law.
Up to October 2013, according to data obtained by Etecsa analysis of the source of text messaging, they had made 219 spam mailings, for a total of 1,055,746 Cubans SMS targeting users.
This is part of the changes and adjustments in the transmission of Radio and TV Martí, aimed at integrating the new telecommunications technologies, like social networking, SMS and emails, which has become the platform in one of the most active against Cuba.
It is in these endeavors that they spend over 20 million dollars allocated every year by the White House and Congress to this project, which violates the principles of radio and television broadcasts against Cuba, and which is condemned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
A pyramid to hide Zunzún
After the failure of ZunZuneo, reported by the AP report, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) next to Martinoticias project has undertaken a similar network structure, also with secret funds, called Piramideo.
Similar to what they did with the previous project, Piramideo promotes the creation of a network of “friends” offering the possibility that a person sent to the members of his “pyramid” massive SMS for the value of a single message.
This strategy also intended to detract resources to Cuba also seeks to create a kind of “communication channel” between counterrevolutionary factions.
They have even tried to deceive the self-employed sector and Cuban artists, offering the platform “free” or lower than the official prices, so that through it you promote your work or services.
Piramideo, which thrives on dubious funds, on which would be good for the USAID and the CBO will give explanations to Congress, also in violation of Resolution 192 of the Ministry of Communications of Cuba, which contains the “Rules for counteract harmful sending bulk messages through telecommunications networks. “
Who do you want to shock?
Between September 2012 and the same date of 2015, USAID plans to deliver to various subcontractors $ 4.3 million to promote the installation of underground wireless networks in Cuba, which is part of a project code-named withmotion.
The purpose is to offer supposed “technological entrepreneurs” Cuban necessary equipment to create their own networks, and then link these to others abroad.
The primary targets, of course, are the youngest, who can be seduced with the opportunity to exchange these connections by various materials, such as music, movies, conversations and even play online.
However, withmotion has a hidden agenda: go creating a “net user” and supply them technology and information for a given time, win some ‘credibility’, provide disinformation on the status of the country or summon them to speak out against some alleged “injustice”.
It is, as it was with the ZunZuneo was revealed by the investigation of the AP, another project to create confusion, sowing pessimism and discouragement, taking advantage of the shortcomings in communications still has the country, caused precisely by the U.S. blockade
Dirty operations
Recent press reports indicate that the USAID administrator Rajiv Shah will address at a hearing next Tuesday in the Senate the details of ZunZuneo following the revelations of the AP.
However, this research, which has caused an international scandal that has involved companies from various countries, has just ripped some of the veils that hide a giant technological aggression against Cuba.
Maybe that audience is a good time to not only be talking about ZunZuneo, but also other hidden projects that are implemented against Cuba, as Piramideo, withmotion, Hablalosinmiedo or Singularity, that form part of attempts to use new technologies against the Cuban people and its Revolution.
In turn, these plans seek to undermine the economic base that allows the Cuban government to continue to invest in improving telecommunications and bring them closer to the population. Attempt to create, by the way, the false myth of the “free” of many of these services, which are actually being subsidized by shell companies and mercenaries funds from various U.S. government agencies.
With a dirty scheme and tested in operations in Libya, Syria, Egypt and recently in Ukraine and Venezuela, U.S. intelligence agencies have orchestrated and executed multiple plans against Cuba today, using the most sophisticated technologies it.
However, these attacks will not stop the efforts of the Cuban Government to use new technologies for the common good, economic, cultural and social development.
Source: Juventud Rebelde Subversion beyond ZunZuneo (Part I)
