The official media outlet Cubadebate joined on Tuesday those who have criticized Alexander Otaola, following his comments about the health condition of the reggaeton artist El Taiger, who is hospitalized in Miami after being shot in the head last Thursday, October 3.
An article signed by the state journalist Arleen Rodríguez Derivet harshly criticizes Otaola for his derogatory references to El Taiger.
"The truth is that it seems nonsensical for someone who intends to gain an audience to do their business in front of the fan, ultimately receiving more attacks and mockery than when they lost the mayoral election," opinions from the podcast "Chapeando Bajito," the summary of which is presented by Cubadebate.
From that space, they claim that Otaola, known for his polarizing rhetoric, would have made these statements to divert attention from the arrest of his former campaign chief, Andy Santana Zamora, for pedophilia.
Arleen, the personal friend of the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, and company, highlight that despite their strategy, Otaola faces criticism even from his supporters, which underscores the disconnect between his stance and Cuban popular culture, which for them El Taiger does represent.
"We may like the type of music that El Taiger makes more or less, but there is no doubt that his work connects with popular psychology. His choruses have entered or exited the speech of Cubans, as has always happened with popular music," they comment.
The truth is that the comments from the host of the YouTube program “¡Hola, Otaola!” during El Taiger's critical condition have generated a wave of outrage among artists and fans of the interpreter of La Historia.
“Now everyone is friends, now everyone wants the best for El Taiger, now everyone is about forgiveness and forgetfulness, now everyone is doing the prayer chain. If El Taiger is saved, which we hope he is, right, so that all those who send him good vibes can receive that blessing, it's important they know he will have special needs,” Otaola said in that broadcast.
One of the ones who reacted most harshly is Eduardo Antonio, who dedicated a video to condemn Otaola's comments.
The comedian Limay Blanco also did this, who after that incident said he had blocked Otaola and threatened to do the same with anyone who shared content from him.
Another Cuban comedian but residing in the United States, Ariel Mancebo, questioned Otaola's sensitivity and shot back: "You went too far."
The Cuban government has not missed the opportunity to join the media wave in support of El Taiger, a singer whom the newspaper Trabajadores claims was a victim of "a violent society like the American one."
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Cuban Institute of Music promised that it would "continue to provide information in the coming days." It also wished for "the speedy recovery of this young musician, who has not renounced his nationality or his love for Cuba."
The investigation into the incident in which the Cuban reggaeton artist was shot in the head is still ongoing. Meanwhile, in a turn of events, on Monday the police requested assistance and even offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the Cuban-born citizen Damián Valdez-Galloso, known as “El Narra,” who is apparently the main suspect in the case.
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