Oct 9 2025

ZunZeno – How the US Govt Used Social Media to Spur Social Unrest in Cuba

Posted originally on Oct 9, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |

Stories are circulating that Barack Obama funneled money through the Cayman Islands to NGOs. While that cannot be entirely verified, the portion of the story regarding the Obama Administration setting up a Twitter clone for Cuba called Zunzuneo is accurate.

The US government under Obama sought ways to subliminally target the people of Cuba while bypassing the strict communist government restrictions on social media. USAID paid government contractors to create “Cuban Twitter,” which first launched in 2009. Initially, ZunZeneo (translation: “hummingbird”) used the platform to discuss neutral topics such as sports, weather, and entertainment. Once the platform expanded to hundreds of thousands of Cubans, the US government began inserting political messages aimed at inciting civil unrest.

The Associated Press even ran an article about the incident in April 2014, “US secretly built ‘Cuban Twitter’ to stir unrest.” A leaked memo from Mobile Accord Inc., the company responsible for creating the platform, emphasized the importance of hiding the US government’s involvement. “This is absolutely crucial for the long-term success of the service and to ensure the success of the Mission,” the memo said.

Slow growth was essential for the covert operation. The social platform utilized cellphone text messaging to bypass Cuba’s internet restrictions. “Non-controversial content” on hot topic was used to build a mass subscriber base. Nearly half a million people were subscribed to the platform before the content changed with the goal of organizing “smart mobs” to “renegotiate the balance of power between the state and society,” as one USAID memo revealed.

USAID did not attempt to conceal its involvement, noting in a public statement that the agency was “proud of its work in Cuba to provide basic humanitarian assistance, promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to help information flow more freely to the Cuban people,” whom it said “have lived under an authoritarian regime” for 50 years.

USAID claimed it was operating legally, but covert mission to influence foreign politics must be approved by the president. Former President Obama was aware of the program but could not openly discuss his involvement. Cubans were persuaded to rebel with known legal repercussions, wholly unaware that the messaging was coming from a foreign government. “Mock ad banners will give it the appearance of a commercial enterprise,” one proposal suggested.

“The Cuban government, like other regimes committed to information control, currently lacks the capacity to effectively monitor and control such a service,” Bernheim wrote in a proposal for USAID marked “Sensitive Information.”

Acting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton knew of the mission. By 2011, she began openly discussing the importance of infiltrating foreign governments via the internet to lead to “revolutionary change.” Others in the Biden Administration were left in the dark. “We were told we couldn’t even be told in broad terms what was happening because ‘people will die,’” said Fulton Armstrong, who worked for both the Clinton White House and later the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The ZunZuneo management team was also unaware of US involvement.

USAID NGOs hired Cuban artists to draft messages to appeal to the people. The “Peace without Borders” concert in 2009 was the largest gathering since the visit of late Pope John Paul II. The US government used the occasion to gather intel through ZunZeno. Unassuming polls were sent out to the people, with some messaging containing subtle political components. One message asked respondents if they believed anti-government artists should join the concert. The US government gathered the cell phone numbers of the people who seemed receptive to use in future targeted attacks. This is completely illegal and a violation of data laws.

“If it is discovered that the platform is, or ever was, backed by the United States government, not only do we risk the channel being shut down by Cubacel, but we risk the credibility of the platform as a source of reliable information, education, and empowerment in the eyes of the Cuban people,” Mobile Accord noted in a memo. Shell companies were created throughout various nations, including the Cayman Islands where the company banked with N.T. Butterfield & Son Ltd.

“In the implementation has the government taken steps to be discreet in non-permissive environments? Of course. That’s how you protect the practitioners and the public.” USAID spokesman Matt Herrick noted. “In hostile environments, we often take steps to protect the partners we’re working with on the ground. This is not unique to Cuba.”

Influencing foreign politics is certainly not unique to Cuba. A USAID contractor by the name of Alan Gross was sent to Cuba to provide internet access to the people. The program was launched shortly after he was arrested, as his initial goal to compromise Cuba’s internet failed. USAID is solely used to influence foreign politics under the guise of providing aid that the American people provide through taxation.

The platform vanished from the internet in 2012 when Obama was running for his second term. Social media is a favorite tool of government to influence the masses. The amount of money allocated to Cuban Twitter is unknown since USAID operated extremely discreetly, funneling money to endless NGOs to conceal its motives.

Oct 3 2025

New Hires Fell to 16-Year Low in September

originally on Posted Oct 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |

The condition of America’s workforce remains undetermined, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics is currently not operational. The non-farm payrolls report will be delayed even if the unlikely event that the government reconciles today. The Chicago Federal Reserve compiled a separate report that indicates a contraction in the workforce.

Unemployment remains stagnant at 4.34%, up a mere 0.01% from August. Layoffs also remained relatively unchanged at 2.1%. We have not reached the point of mass layoffs where companies can no longer afford to pay their employees. Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported in a separate analysis that layoffs declined 37% in September and fell 26% YoY. The company reported that planned furloughs are at their highest level since 2020, with 946,426 cuts between Q1 and Q3.

Companies are fighting to retain employees, and there are no signs of expansion. New hires for the year totaled 204,939, marking a massive 58% annual decline. The US economy has not seen such a slow pace of hiring since 2009 in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Yet, the jobs data under the Biden Administration hid the real problem as the PUBLIC sector multiplied while the private sector stagnated.

The ADP report that is used as a confirmation of the BLS has been closely monitored in the wake of the government shutdown. The private sector eliminated 32,000 positions in September–a glaring warning sign as the markets were predicting an expansion of over 50,000. Private payrolls for August were revised to show a loss of 3,000 jobs, after data initially indicated a gain of 54,000. The ISM manufacturing survey index slightly rose to 49.1 in September from 48.7 but remains in depleted territory.

Small-and medium-sized businesses have been hit the hardest. Large corporations with over 500 employees did, in fact, add 33,000 jobs, offset by the number of layoffs smaller companies were forced to endure. Wage increases for workers who changed jobs in September fell to 6.6% from 7.1% MoM. Annual wage growth for job-stayers fell flat.

“Despite the strong economic growth we saw in the second quarter, this month’s release further validates what we’ve been seeing in the labor market, that US employers have been cautious with hiring,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said in a statement.

The Federal Reserve will likely state that it needs the official BLS data to make an informed decision. Powell is careful with his words. Rate cuts will not entice companies to expand, despite Washington’s insistence that they would, as employers lack confidence in the future.

Oct 3 2025

Taiwan Declines US Demand to Offshore Chip Production

originally on Posted Oct 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |

The threat of losing military protection did not persuade Taiwan to move half its chip manufacturing to the United States. Top trade negotiator and vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun stated that the 50-50 proposal would not be considered or even discussed. Instead, Taiwan plans to focus on lowering US-imposed tariffs that now stand at 20%.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick believes that Taiwan’s chip production would be safer on US soil. The US relies on Taiwan for an astounding 95% of chip production and cannot lose this strategic trade. “My objective, and this administration’s objective, is to get chip manufacturing significantly onshored — we need to make our own chips,” Lutnick said. “The idea that I pitched [Taiwan] was, let’s get to 50-50. We’re producing half, and you’re producing half.”

There is a belief that the “Silicon Shield” deters Chinese military aggression as the island has global dominance over semiconductor manufacturing. It is true that semiconductor production is the best, if not only, leverage the nation holds.

China accused Taiwan of “selling out” to US influence, repeatedly reminding the nation that they are a province and not a sovereign country. Separatist ambitions are impossible without US military backing. Yet, now there is a concern that the nation would be surrendering its key economic component to the US. Both China and the US want to corner Taiwan and one will win.

Eric Chu, leader of Kuomintang opposition party, is less keen to cave to US demands than President Tsai Ing-wen. “No one can sell out Taiwan or TSMC, and no one can undermine Taiwan’s silicon shield,” Chu said, in reference to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Manufacturing on US soil is far more costly and there is a concern that this could slow innovation and create new logistical issues. Yet, China has been ramping up One China policy rhetoric. President Xi Jinping called on the nation to “firmly oppose Taiwan independence separatist activities and external interference,” reaffirming China’s commitment to defend its “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 established the “one-China principle” that states Taiwan is a Chinese province under international law. The majority of UN member states agree and Taiwan has been blocked from participating in international organizations. The resolution, however, is vague and does not explicitly mention Taiwan. Rather, it “expels forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy in the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.” Chiang Kai-shek was the leader of the communist Republic of China (ROC) who was forced to retreat to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war. Chiang Kai-shek ran Taiwan as an independent nation to the dismay of the international community. The UN officially recognized the People’s Republic of China over the ROC in 1971 and has not changed its stance.

Governments are increasingly undermining globalist organizations like the UN and ignoring past treaties. This matter cannot be solved with pen and paper.

Oct 3 2025

Exxon Announces Mass Layoffs

originally on Posted Oct 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |

Recent data from the Chicago Fed and ADP indicate new hires at a 16-year low. The ADP offered a bit of promising news for large corporations as they managed to expand by 33,000 positions last month. Yet, no corporation is immune to the increased cost of goods, excessive regulation, and taxation. Socrates has warned that unemployment will top 6% by 2026, and we are beginning to see the warning signs in Q4.

Exxon Mobil plans to slash 2,000 positions, representing 3% to 4% of the global workforce. “Our global office network was established decades ago under very different circumstances,” Exxon said in a statement to Barron’s. “To support the collaboration so critical to our success, we are aligning our global footprint with our operating model and bringing our teams together.”

Exxon Chairman and CEO Darren Woods stated that the company is aiming to “redesign work processes and improve cost competitiveness.” “We are making tough decisions, some of which will result in friends and colleagues leaving the company,” Woods said back in 2020. The global economy never truly recovered from the pandemic. I discussed the ongoing issue with crude and the broader implications on the private blog.

Numerous oil giants announced mass layoffs. Chevron drastically reduced its payroll by cutting over 15% of its workforce. Imperial Oil is slashing its staff by 20% over the next two years. Total Energies is looking for a way to save $7.5 billion over the next five years.

Oil shocks are typically geopolitical in nature. It is not inflationary or demand-driven. Oil is a global reserve commodity that responds to shifts in capital flows and confidence. Energy is leverage and power, which is why is closely aligns with the war cycle. Companies overall are hedging against expected volatility by cutting costs, but oil companies are especially prone to stress due to the current geopolitical atmosphere.

Sep 29 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel Says Agents in J6 Crowd Were Dispatched to Quell Riot Underway

Posted originally on CTH on September 28, 2025 | Sundance

FBI Director Kash Patel once again rises to defend the integrity of the institution he leads.

While Tweeting a link to a Fox News story quoting him, the FBI director says, “274 FBI agents were thrown into crowd control on Jan 6 against FBI standards. That failure was on corrupt leadership. Thanks to agents stepping up, the truth is coming out. Transparency. Justice. Accountability.”

Which begs the questions: 274 FBI plainclothes agents were going to do what, exactly?… How did the FBI know to have 274 agents “on hand” prepared to intervene? And where exactly is “on hand” located?

(VIA FOX NEWS) – The FBI responded on Saturday to a report that 274 plainclothes agents were at the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, clarifying the role of bureau personnel while still blasting former Director Christopher Wray.

While the agents were on hand, they were sent in after the riot had begun to try to control the unruly crowd, officials told Fox News Digital. That is not the proper role of FBI agents, and Wray was not forthcoming about what happened when he testified numerous times on Capitol Hill, Director Kash Patel said.

“Agents were sent into a crowd control mission after the riot was declared by Metro Police – something that goes against FBI standards,” Patel told Fox News Digital. “This was the failure of a corrupt leadership that lied to Congress and to the American people about what really happened.”

He added, “Thanks to agents coming forward, we are now uncovering the truth. We are fully committed to transparency, and justice and accountability continues with this FBI.”

There’s no indication any FBI agents were involved in any events related to Trump’s speech on the morning of Jan. 6 at the Ellipse, an FBI official told Fox News Digital, adding that Wray should have disclosed that agents were there when he was asked by congressional leaders. (read more)

Suspicious Cat remains, well, suspicious…

Sep 24 2025

Tucker Carlson Releases Episode One of The 9/11 Files: The CIA’s Secret Mission Gone Wrong

Posted originally on CTH on September 23, 2025 | Sundance

Tucker Carlson’s team have been investigating the events of 9/11. Today they release the first segment of a multi-phase docuseries.

A former FBI agent who was embedded in the CIA’s Bin Laden unit, Mark Rossini, claims the CIA was fully aware that the 9/11 hijackers were in the United States planning an attack. Rather than inform the FBI, the CIA tried to recruit two of the hijackers for a “false-flag” operation, which quickly spiraled out of control. The failed mission raises urgent questions about government secrecy, intelligence failures, and what really happened before 9/11.

Sep 24 2025

President Trump Calls Out Democrats for Threatening to Shut Down Government

Posted originally on CTH on September 23, 2025 | Sundance

The Democrats are threatening to refuse to support a stopgap spending measure to extend federal spending. President Trump is calling them out and refusing to meet with them until they get serious about it.

After passing a clean CR in the House, Republicans in the Senate are pushing a “clean” seven-week continuing resolution, which they say will buy time for more negotiations on full-year spending bills and possibly an extension of expiring health insurance subsidies. Democrats, meanwhile, wrote an alternative four-week punt that tacks on a laundry list of other demands, including a permanent extension of the insurance subsidies.

Should the government shut down, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought will determine which elements and agencies of the government are considered essential and which will be shuttered until the budget is extended.

President Donald Trump – “After reviewing the details of the unserious and ridiculous demands being made by the Minority Radical Left Democrats in return for their Votes to keep our thriving Country open, I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive.

They are threatening to shut down the Government of the United States unless they can have over $1 Trillion Dollars in new spending to continue free healthcare for Illegal Aliens (A monumental cost!), force Taxpayers to fund Transgender surgery for minors, have dead people on the Medicaid roles, allow Illegal Alien Criminals to steal Billions of Dollars in American Taxpayer Benefits, try to force our Country to again open our Borders to Criminals and to the World, allow men to play in women’s sports, and essentially create Transgender operations for everybody.”

“These Radical Left Views and Policies is what allowed me to win the Presidential Election, including all seven Swing States, and the Popular Vote, IN A HISTORIC LANDSLIDE. There are consequences to losing Elections but based on their letter to me, the Democrats haven’t figured that out yet. They are trying to eliminate the popular $50 Billion Dollar Rural and Vulnerable Hospital Fund, which was passed with only Republican Votes, and proudly signed into Law by ME.

The Democrats in Congress seem to have totally lost their way. They obviously have no idea what it means to put America First or to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! All Congressional Democrats want to do is enact Radical Left Policies that nobody voted for — High Taxes, Open Borders, No Consequences for Violent Criminals, Men in Women’s Sports, Taxpayer funded “TRANSGENDER” surgery, and much more. Few people voted for what they represent, which would lead to the destruction of America.

Instead, people voted for COMMON SENSE, and that’s what the Republicans and your President, “DONALD J. TRUMP,” stand for. I look forward to meeting with them if they get serious about the future of our Nation. We must keep the Government open and legislate like true Patriots rather than hold American Citizens hostage, knowing that they want our now thriving Country closed.

I’ll be happy to meet with them if they agree to the Principles in this Letter. They must do their job! Otherwise, it will just be another long and brutal slog through their radicalized quicksand. To the Leaders of the Democrat Party, the ball is in your court. I look forward to meeting with you when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for. DO THE RIGHT THING!”

DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA