Havana Meet Calls for Defeating Capitalist Manipulation of Data
U Vasuki
‘SHARPEN revolutionary communication and defeat capitalist manipulation of data’ was the general call that emanated from the 3rd International Conference of Theoretical Publications of Left-Wing Parties and Movements held in Nico Lopez university, Havana, Cuba on October 15-17, 2025. The fact that the President of Cuba and First Secretary of the central committee of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Diaz Canel attended two sessions on two different days shows the significance of the conference, which was attended by over 200 delegates from 30 countries.
The opening remarks were made by Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organisation of the Central Committee of the Party, followed by an audiovisual tribute to Fidel on his birth centenary, featuring his ideas on the cause of the left. The artistic performance was a feast to watch.
A batch of presentations were made on the subject “Global tensions and their influence on leftist movements in the context of geopolitics and international relations”. The speakers emphasised that enemies know no borders, they do not have boundaries, no bottom line. The left should gather forces to face such a law of the jungle adopted by imperialism. Class perspective should always be at the very centre of geopolitics.
The role of our periodicals in mobilising public opinion was stressed. On the Palestine question, it was emphasised that it is not just about human loss. Can we separate the Palestine issue from the attacks of capitalism, imperialism and Zionism? We must win over public opinion in our respective countries in favour of Palestine. In Cuban resistance, protection of the socialist revolution is at its heart. The communists in NATO countries must mobilise public opinion against NATO and bring pressure on their respective govts to withdraw from NATO.
The role of global South was stressed. Coordination, cooperation and strengthening of multilateral ties is the need of the hour. Analysis is not the end; it’s a means to an end. We should analyse and take offensive. We should analyse and act.
When interventions were allowed from the floor, I raised the aspect of gender concerns while formulating geo-strategies. It was greatly appreciated by delegates from various countries.
Theory of Communication and Geopolitics
A conversation with Ignacio Ramonet took place at an event. Ignacio Ramonet is a Spanish-born academic, journalist and writer, known for his critical analysis of globalisation, media, and geopolitics. He served as the editor-in-chief of the influential French newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique and is a co-founder of the anti-globalisation activist organisation ATTAC. He is also the author of several books and has a long history as a professor and a consultant on communication and international strategy. He is on the advisory council of Telesur. He spoke extensively on how information is manipulated by imperialism, how the battlefield has now become a battle of ideas after the invention of internet and now with artificial intelligence tools. He explained the gigantic developments in the field of technology and pointed out that the main raw material today is data. Imperialism is very particular that their control over technology must not be challenged but China broke the control. It threw a surprise in the form of the AI tool DeepSeek which did not need much investment.
Using deepfake technology, false, harmful but convincing arguments are placed about socialist system, and countries like Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador, he said. Left has a problem with technology in many countries. When enemies are turning out evil garbage, left need to respond appropriately.
Fidel prioritised this topic long back. He was very clear that even after the revolution, for a breakthrough, we need technology. He initiated digital institutions. He opened a department in universities. He was keen on developing satellite communication. But US blockade did not allow all this.
A technology oligarchy is developing in the world, Ramonet said. Social networks are manipulated. Since the social network platforms are controlled by capitalists, left should not have a negative attitude towards them. We must use what little space they offer.
Japanese manga characters could enthuse youth in a few countries like Nepal, Indonesia and Madagascar to challenge the State. The flags held by the protestors in these countries were the flags held by manga characters. Ramonet concluded that it cannot be left to the exclusivity of rightwing forces and it has the potential for the left to use it.
The President Diaz Canel delivered an impromptu speech. He said that he attended the session mainly to listen to Ramonet. He assured two things: one, that this international meeting will be held every year in Cuba and two, that a news portal for sharing the news of the left will be organised. It received thunderous applause. He said, this debate is not academic, but shared by people who are deeply revolutionary, having a will to change the world, to create a new world order. He added that words are tools, ideas are tools, they must be taken to the people. They need effective communication with a left and socialist perspective. Communication is all about how to turn information into ammunition and use it in an emancipatory way.
He also cautioned that we need to challenge the manipulation of information on the aspect of ethics too. If left is not active in these platforms, then we are leaving the people at the mercy of capitalists and ideas imposed by imperialist forces will dominate. He sarcastically commented that US President is a symbol of hegemonic, non-inclusive info manipulation.
He concluded that left has this historical responsibility. To think is to combat, to publish is to weaponise. This is connected to political communication and ideological sovereignty. We need to materialise debates into strategies. Finally, he thundered that “We Cubans will do what we feel we should do… we do not bend or bow to imperialism.” This led to a standing ovation.
The second day had two panel discussions and one workshop. Along with representatives of Venezuela, Belgium, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico and others, I made a presentation on “anti-colonial, anti-imperialist anti-fascist thoughts and the challenges we face” which was well received. The third day was a plenary session of the panel discussions. A melodious instrumental music program was staged. Then the Internationale was played with delegates holding hands and swaying to the music, and the conference came to an end.
The next three days were observed as a festival of newspapers Granma and Juventud Rebelde, founded by Fidel himself, which have completed 60 years. It was held in a square with cultural programs, film shows and a panel discussion. It was inaugurated by Diaz Canel who dedicated it to Fidel’s birth centenary. Various stalls and anti-imperialist murals were put up. The participants in the panel discussion, including Ignacio Ramonet, were all closely connected to the Commander, and they shared some of their personal experiences with the audience. Everyone highlighted his sense of humour, best journalist skills and how he tackled crises. In a separate massive program, the Cuban president handed over 44 lakh signatures to the representatives of Venezuela against the US government’s attacks on Venezuela.
Other programs
A visit to the Fidel Castro Ruz centre was organised. A meeting with the Rector of Nico Lopez University and his team was held. There was a lively discussion on party education. This university, run by the Party, offers diploma, graduation, postgraduation and doctorate courses on political education. They have 176 schools in municipalities and districts. Party activists, cadre from mass organisations and government officials attend courses in the University. The syllabus is prepared to suit the needs and requirements of the students and their organisations. They are giving utmost importance to political education.
One to one meetings were arranged with a team of ICAP (Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples) including Noemi Rabasa, First Vice President, and Alicia Corredera Morales, Director of Asian Region. It was followed by a meeting with Theresa Amarelle Boue, the National Secretary General of Cuban Federation of Women and Political Bureau member of the Party, where the discussion lasted for about two hours; and finally with Emilio Lozada, head of International Relations Department of the Party. Theresa showed keen interest in strengthening the relationship between the two women’s organisations. Emilio repeatedly appreciated the role of CPI(M) for the solidarity with Cuba and the staunch anti-imperialist positions.
Cuban Federation of Women acts as a bridge between the women and the government and gives ground level inputs in policy making. They intervene directly in gender issues and extend all possible help to address the grievances.
I visited a community in Central Havana where the residents are involved in the production of plant-based medicines, cosmetics and health food. When I offered to buy some products, they said, there is no stock, orders are there but there is difficulty in procuring certain raw materials due to US blockade. How this blockade interferes in people’s everyday lives could be seen blatantly. They are involving senior citizens to make them active and maintain their mobility. I had a wonderful conversation with them, and I was extremely happy that they asked me to plant a seed as a memory of my visit there.
Through these conversations, we can understand the attacks and false campaign of imperialism, their continued scheming to destabilise the socialist government, the consequences of blockade and how hard the Cuban government works to address the people’s welfare. Their resistance and resilience are amazing. I felt, Cuba is not just a country, it is a symbol of struggle.
