US social media firm Twitter Inc blocked the accounts of Cuban Communist Party Leader Raul Castro and Cuba’s top state-run media outlets, a move the Cuban Union of Journalists denounced as “massive censorship.”

Iran press/ America: Dozens of accounts of journalists for Cuban state-run media as well as the official account for Mariela Castro, a Cuban lawmaker and daughter of Communist Party chief, and Communications Ministry were also blocked in the crackdown late on Wednesday.

Twitter did not explain or forewarn of the measure, state-run media wrote on their websites. The company did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The most important media outlets from Cuba - expressing Cuba's voice - have now been censored by Twitter with no explanation. So now Twitter has the power to silence an entire country and cut them off from communicating with the world? https://t.co/qRV66NBGva

— Eva Golinger (@evagolinger) September 12, 2019

The Cuban Union of Journalists said the platform had suspended individual accounts in the past which had been recovered.

The move came just as President Miguel Diaz-Canel was addressing the nation on state-run TV, warning of an energy crisis due to U.S. sanctions.

“What is new here is the massive scope of this act of cybernetic warfare, clearly planned, that aims to limit the freedom of expression of Cuban institutions and citizens and to silence the leaders of the revolution,” The Cuban Union of Journalistssaid in a statement.

213/

Read more:

Cuban President: US fails against Venezuela, lashes out at Cuba

Russia calls int'l community to end ‘anti-Cuban blockade’ by the US

UNGA condemns US sanctions against Cuba