Enrique Santos came to the defense of Willy Chirino after the criticism regarding his remarks on immigration in a recent interview. The popular broadcaster stated that, while he does not agree with everything expressed by the renowned singer-songwriter, musician, and music producer, he values his right to express his opinion and called for a debate without personal attacks.
"Although I do not agree with everything that Willy, Osmani, and García said in the interview, I appreciate that here they can express what they think and how they feel and speak from reality, something they could never do in Cuba, something that no one can do in Cuba," he stated on his program.
Santos emphasized his respect for Chirino: “The affection and respect I have for Willy Chirino has not changed and will not change; it’s about respecting a person, an elder, respecting their history and opinions as well.” He also recalled the artist's journey as a symbol of exile: “Willy Chirino is a symbol of the Cuban exile, a victim of exile, censorship, and hatred from a regime that does not tolerate his free voice and is constantly trying to silence him.”
The broadcaster also criticized the attitude of those who attack the singer for having a different opinion: “It's valid to question and debate his words, but it should be done with respect (...) Just because someone thinks differently than I do, I'm not going to fight with them, let alone argue with Willy Chirino, who is a legend.”
In his message, he also called for tolerance within the community: “People have lost their minds and some on social media act as if they still live in Cuba and don’t know how to respect someone else's opinion (...) you think like I do and if you don’t think like I do, then you are my enemy and we have a problem here.”
For Santos, the real adversary is not found in differing opinions: “Let us not forget that the true enemy of the Cuban people is the Castro dictatorship; it is not Willy, it is not Osmani, it is not me, and make sure it is not you either. Long live healthy debate, and truly, long live democracy, freedom for Cuba, for its political prisoners, and for all oppressed peoples.”
The controversy erupted following an interview published on the YouTube channel Enrique Santos Show, where Chirino compared the current migration crisis to the Mariel exodus and questioned President Joe Biden's policies: “Biden came in and not only has he deported 700,000 or so but he allowed 21 million people to enter, and you don’t know where they’re from, perhaps imitating what Castro did during the Mariel.”
In that conversation, the musician sent a message to immigrants: “You don’t come here to be lazy and stand on a corner drinking beer; you come here to work. If you work and do the right things here in this country, you will succeed.”
Chirino's words have sparked strong criticism on social media. Immigration attorney Hernandezglaw, for instance, who spoke out on TikTok, accused him of "aligning with an administration that is criminalizing immigrants" and of "spouting cheap propaganda."
A user known as Vladimir Batista labeled him as “hypocritical” for allegedly justifying restrictive policies, while Cuban-American official Sergio Rodríguez Beristain expressed regret that “it seems he has forgotten that he is also an immigrant” and questioned him for “aligning himself with racist rhetoric.”
Political strategist Sasha Tirador expressed on Instagram: “Trumpism took Willy Chirino from me,” considering that the singer is repeating “Trumpist propaganda” and distancing himself from the values he represented for the exile community.
Despite the controversy that has erupted on social media, in the same interview, Chirino also highlighted the essential role of immigrants in the United States and expressed his support for those who work and contribute to the country: “This country has survived, not only because of that, for many other reasons, but it is also heavily related to Latin American immigration, which has taken on the simple jobs that my father and mother had to do when they arrived here, jobs that no one in this country wants to do. We have done it, and I include myself, because I washed dishes, I did all those things...,” he stated.
Furthermore, he expressed his support for those who follow the rules and make an effort: “Those people who fight, who have arrived in this country, who have contributed to the survival process in this country, who pay their taxes, who have their families, who have built a normal and positive life, I believe those people should not be touched, and I am willing to help in the process,” he added.
Amid the controversy, Enrique Santos, for his part, delivers a conciliatory and respectful message: "Thinking differently does not break the affection."
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