A Cuban man, owner of a business in Hialeah, Miami-Dade, was involved in an act of xenophobia against the Venezuelan actress and model Norkys Batista, who is openly pro-Chávez, and her family.
Sebastian Luttinger, son of the actress, posted a video on his Instagram account, along with his mother's, showing a man shouting at them to leave their business.
"The damn Venezuelans are leaving Hialeah. They're all leaving here. They’re leaving this place; this is my property," the man exclaimed, speaking to the actress, her husband, her brother, and her son.
“A Cuban drove us out of his store with mistreatment and poor service simply for being Venezuelans,” Luttinger wrote in the joint post with Batista.
The news outlet El Diario quoted the actress, who shared her experience with her family: “Our bodies fell apart this afternoon. (...) At a gas station in Hialeah, this abusive, disrespectful, hostile, and angry man kicked us out of the establishment because there were more than two people.”
According to the website, Batista emphasized that from the outset, the Cuban showed a hostile attitude. When she requested to stay with her husband to arrange for the rental of a truck, the merchant shouted at them that no more than one person could be in the place and ordered them to leave.
The actress stated that the man's behavior was violent: “The only thing he didn’t do was pull out the gun completely and shoot us,” she told El Diario.
"Imagine a Cuban kicking some Venezuelans out of Hialeah. A Cuban who comes from a country fleeing a dictatorship, throwing a Venezuelan out of his business. One must be really brazen to do what that man did. It's clear to me that anger causes people to lose control," the artist remarked.
The news portal also quoted Alexis Goncalves, the actress's husband, who appears with her in the video, stating that the Cuban was armed.
Although the act of xenophobia is not related to the actress's political inclination, in 2023, Venezuelan Carolina Tejera stated on the program Destino Positivo that her fellow countrywoman Norkys Batista was openly chavista.
“She has been a lifelong supporter of Chávez, so what can you expect from her? She loves being in Venezuela; she’s one of those who says that Venezuela is fixed and everything is perfect. So what is she doing in the United States if everything has been resolved there?” she expressed.
He also said, "Explain that to me because you're a supporter of Chávez. You say everything is fine, yet you never leave Miami."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Controversy in Hialeah Involving Norkys Batista
What happened at the store in Hialeah with Norkys Batista?
A Cuban man expelled Venezuelan actress Norkys Batista and her family from his store in an incident deemed xenophobic, as the merchant ordered them to leave because they were Venezuelans.
What was Norkys Batista's reaction to the incident?
Norkys Batista expressed her indignation over the treatment she received, describing the merchant as abusive and hostile. She remarked that the man's behavior was violent and that she and her family felt threatened.
What has been the reaction on social media to the incident with Norkys Batista?
The situation sparked controversy on social media, particularly because Norkys Batista is known for her pro-Chavez stance. The video of the incident was widely shared, leading to discussions about xenophobia and politics within the Latino community in Miami.
What is the connection between this incident and other issues in Hialeah?
The incident reflects tensions in Hialeah, a city with a high concentration of Cuban residents, where other conflicts and coexistence issues have been reported. Instances of xenophobia and abuse have been recurring in the area, according to various reports.
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