USAID sent operatives to Cuba to stir up rebellion

A new report has cast further doubt on the neutrality and true mission of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, as it was revealed that USAID sent operatives to Cuba with the ultimate goal of fomenting an anti-government revolution.

The report was published by The Associated Press, which had previously reported on USAID efforts to create a fake social network that could be used to spread anti-government propaganda in Cuba. The social network could also be used to organize protests and other acts of rebellion and dissent.

The AP says that a number of Spanish-speaking volunteers from Latin America were sent to Cuba under the guise of raising awareness about the dangers of HIV and its prevention. Some of those sent to do this dangerous work on behalf of the U.S. government were paid as little as $5.41 an hour for their efforts.

Even more troubling, these people were sent to Cuba just months after a USAID contractor was arrested for smuggling in illegal communications equipment.

According to the AP, the purpose of focusing on issues like HIV was to build networks of socially minded and politically conscious individuals. The hope was that upon seeing success in combatting social ills like HIV, these groups would then realize their transformative power, and direct those energies towards efforts that challenged the Cuban state.

Major focal points for creating these networks were Cuban colleges and artistic collectives. The USAID operatives would embed themselves in these communities, making friends and developing trust.

Although the purpose was to establish networks of revolutionaries, many of the Cubans these operatives interacted with say they had no idea of the operatives' ultimate goals. Many were apoltical. One of the Cubans, who was highly valued for his revolutionary potential, said simply, "They were our friends."