The US government secretly financed a social network in Cuba to stir political unrest and undermine the country's communist government, investigations reveal.
The programme evaded Cuba's internet restrictions by creating a text messaging service that could be used to organise political demonstrations.
It drew in tens of thousands of subscribers who were unaware it was backed by Washington.
Documents and interviews show the US Agency for International Development went to extensive lengths to conceal its involvement in a so-called Cuban Twitter. They set up front companies overseas and routed money through a Cayman Islands bank to hide the money trail.
The project was launched shortly after US contractor Alan Gross was arrested in Cuba for undertaking covert work to expand internet access.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here