The Venezuelan comedian George Harris faced a tense situation during his performance at the 2025 Viña del Mar International Song Festival.
Since the beginning of his routine, a segment of the audience began to boo him, constantly interrupting his performance.
Despite his attempts to calm the audience and continue with his show, the hostility did not subside, which led Harris to leave the stage earlier than expected.
Before leaving, he expressed his disappointment by saying: "It's a pity that the bad guys always win."
Later, he wrote on his social media: “We did what we could, my people. I'm very sorry. I love you all”, and added a heart-shaped flag of Venezuela.
The controversy surrounding Harris is not new. Months before his performance, a heated debate erupted due to his past comments on social media, where he criticized Chilean political figures such as Salvador Allende and Gabriel Boric.
These comments sparked debates on social media and led some users to call for the cancellation of their participation in the festival.
In a meeting with the organizers, he expressed his concern about the death threats he had received, but ultimately decided to move forward with his presentation, considering it a "lifetime dream."
Meanwhile, the large Venezuelan community in Chile had high hopes for this performance, many of whom attended the festival to show their support.
According to estimates, more than 728,000 Venezuelans currently reside in the neighboring country, making it the largest foreign community.
This increase has influenced various areas of Chilean society, including cultural events.
The festival director, Álex Hernández, attributed the failure of the performance to a "small group of misplaced Chileans" who, according to him, organized to sabotage Harris's routine.
Hernández stated that the routine had been reviewed and found to be entertaining, but that the distraction caused by this group affected the comedian's performance.
Moreover, he acknowledged the presence of xenophobic attitudes from this group towards the Venezuelan audience at the event.
In this context, Cuban actress Beatriz Valdés expressed her solidarity with him through a message on social media in which she lamented the symbolic violence experienced in Viña del Mar.
"What sadness in these times when the system validates the gerund of violence in all its forms… like the disgrace of last night in Viña del Mar against the ambassador of noble laughter, George Harris," he wrote.
Valdés also highlighted the impact of Harris's humor on the Venezuelan diaspora, stating that his laughter has served as a balm for those who have had to start anew far from home.
"Your laughter reminds us of our vigor. Your blessed laughter spreads fresh and free not only over every Venezuelan scattered around the world but also over all the communities forced to start from scratch," he added.
Frequently Asked Questions about the George Harris Incident in Viña del Mar
Why did George Harris leave the stage in Viña del Mar?
George Harris left the stage in Viña del Mar after receiving constant boos from part of the audience, which interrupted his performance and led him to leave prematurely. The situation became more complicated due to a previous controversy over his comments about Chilean political figures.
What comments stirred controversy before Harris's presentation?
Before his presentation in Viña del Mar, Harris had made critical comments about Chilean political figures such as Salvador Allende and Gabriel Boric on social media. These comments sparked debates and led some users to request his exclusion from the festival, which likely influenced the negative reaction from the audience.
How did social media react to the incident in Viña del Mar?
Social media was filled with mixed reactions, with some users showing support for Harris and others criticizing his performance and previous comments. The Venezuelan community in Chile, which represents a significant portion of the foreign population, largely expressed its support for the comedian.
What did the festival director say about the incident?
Álex Hernández, the festival director, attributes the failure of Harris's performance to a "small group of misplaced Chileans" who reportedly organized to sabotage his act. He also acknowledged the presence of xenophobic attitudes towards the Venezuelan audience.
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