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The Cuban model Sthefany Pérez, who gained recognition in Spain after her participation in the reality show “La isla de las tentaciones”, has sparked a strong reaction on social media after traveling to Havana with her Spanish boyfriend, Tadeo Corrales Garrido, and sharing images of their stay in the Cuban capital.
Pérez traveled to the island with the purpose of reuniting with his mother and family, but the photos his partner posted on Instagram sparked a wave of criticism for showcasing only the most touristy and polished side of the city.
“It's been an incredible few days with family in Havana. I love the atmosphere and the good vibes that come alive on the streets of Cuba, you'll soon hear more news, family,” wrote Tadeo alongside images where he appears with the Capitol in the background and other iconic sites of the city.
However, many users quickly began to question the "sugarcoated" view of the trip: “Oh, tell me about the blackouts, how is Tadeo dealing with that?”, asked an internet user, to which Sthefany replied: “He adapts to everything, he has no problem; the important thing is that we are with my family.”
The harshest comments came quickly: “That's what you see of Cuba, the pretty face. What the people living there suffer is very tough”; “Show the hunger and misery that Cubans live in”; “The environment you’ve been placed in, because let’s not kid ourselves, Cuba is in terrible shape”; “Cuba is very beautiful to visit, but living there with shortages and blackouts is what you need to see”; “How is the family coping with the endless blackouts over there? Tell me more about that, about the hunger that people are experiencing, the desire to emigrate that everyone has. The reality needs to be told, or else we deceive half the world”; “Incredible that you have selected only the little beautiful and not the destroyed in the photos you upload… Enjoy as you can”; “When you walk under a balcony in Old Havana, let me know if there's good vibe or not. Walk like a regular Cuban, discover the mirror sites, but also the Cuban reality.”
Another internet user, who claimed to have recently been in Cuba as part of a university mission, shared their experience candidly: “Fifteen days ago, I was there in Cuba and the reality is different; the buildings in the center, I clarify, are very beautiful in their original construction, but they are really falling apart. They must document the reality because it's not fair that the people of Cuba continue to live in these conditions. We went as missionaries from a university to provide training to some teachers, and the truth is, it is difficult to teach; the power goes out and you don’t know when it will come back, in terms of food, it is very limited; in the week I was there, I lost 1 ½. I am grateful to the mothers who, as best they could, provided us with food; let’s be more honest.”
“NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO GO TO CUBA! Please, it's not hate, but Cuba is in misery and it doesn't need tourism because the dictatorship needs to fall already,” expressed a user.
In the comments, Sthefany Pérez responded to the criticisms by asserting that she traveled to Cuba to see her mom and family, "not to discuss issues".
Frequently asked questions about Sthefany Pérez's visit to Cuba
Why did Sthefany Pérez face criticism for her trip to Cuba?
Sthefany Pérez faced criticism for showcasing only the tourist-friendly and well-maintained side of Havana, omitting the challenging living conditions that many Cubans endure, such as blackouts and food shortages. Users deemed her perspective as "sugarcoated" and not reflective of the reality of the Cuban people.
What aspects of Cuban reality were pointed out by the critics?
Critics highlighted several aspects of Cuban reality, such as constant blackouts, shortages of food and medicine, and the poverty situation faced by many people. The lack of adequate infrastructure and the deterioration of buildings in Havana were also mentioned.
What did Sthefany Pérez say in response to the criticisms about her trip to Cuba?
Sthefany Pérez responded that her main goal was to reunite with her mother and family, and that her intention was not to talk about the problems of Cuba. She defended her position by stating that what mattered was being with her family and that her boyfriend, Tadeo, adapts to any situation.
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