Venezuelan comedian Abelardo, based in the United States, has gone viral on social media with a monologue in which he humorously and satirically recounts his experience requesting an Uber in Miami with a Cuban driver. The video was posted on TikTok and also on Instagram, where it has garnered thousands of comments and reactions, both humorous and reflective, especially within the Cuban community.
During the sketch, Abelardo -who has over 4.8 million followers on TikTok and 1.3 million on Instagram- describes the moment he arrives in Miami and, when requesting an Uber, encounters a driver named Yusnibel. “I arrive in Miami and what happens in Miami? You feel like you have a superpower… Tell me where you're from without telling me where you're from,” he says. Upon seeing the driver's name, he remembers thinking: “And I get an Uber, Yusnibel, and I’m like, 'Wow!' Where could Yusnibel be from?” The joke continues when the comedian points out that the driver’s profile picture features a cap with the slogan "Make America Great Again," leading him to conclude: “He’s Cuban.”
Abelardo insists that he always selects the option “I don’t want to talk” when using the app, but in an ironic tone, he claims that this preference “is like disabled” when it comes to a Cuban driver. “So I get in the car and Yusnibel shows up, and Yusnibel is like: ‘Here it says you don’t want to talk, but if you want, we can talk… here it says’,” he comments, mimicking the Cuban accent, which elicits laughter from the audience. Later, he compares the experience to artificial intelligence: “The Cuban Uber is like ChatGPT, ask it whatever you want and it will respond,” and finishes with another anecdote: “Abelardo… what a name you have. I had a cousin, Abelardo… he’s in jail now.”
Laughter, pride, and also critiques
The video generated a wave of reactions on TikTok and Instagram, especially regarding the imitation of the Cuban accent, which many considered excellent. Comments like "the best imitation of the Cuban accent I have ever heard" and "I'm Cuban and I approve this message" were repeated dozens of times. Some took it humorously: "We Cubans are prepared for anything, except a challenge to stop talking for 24 hours," wrote one user. Others shared similar experiences with chatty drivers: "I'm not MAGA, but I am Cuban," someone noted in reference to the hat of the fictional driver. "I had a Cuban Uber driver who offered me mangos he had just picked from the tree," another person shared.
There were also voices that took a stand. Some argued that Cubans are used as an easy resource for laughs: “Every comedian that comes to Miami and wants to make it big talks about Cubans.” Others rejected the implicit political association: “Not all Cubans are Republicans or pro-Trump.” And there was a call to avoid generalizations: “We are not all the same,” said a Cuban woman.
However, most of the comments were sympathetic. Many recognized themselves in the anecdote, with phrases like "it's true that we talk a lot," "even if you indicate you don't want to talk, you'll still listen," or even "I drive for Uber and always try to brighten my passengers' day." Some even stated that, although the comedian is not Cuban, the way he speaks "sounds like it's from here."
Frequently Asked Questions about Abelardo's Viral Monologue on Social Media
Why has Abelardo's monologue about the "Cuban Uber" gone viral?
The monologue by Abelardo has gone viral because it combines humor and satire to recount his experience with a Cuban Uber driver in Miami. His ability to imitate the Cuban accent and the anecdote about the driver have particularly resonated within the Cuban community, generating thousands of reactions on TikTok and Instagram.
What reactions has Abelardo's video generated in the Cuban community?
The video has generated a mix of laughter, pride, and some criticism in the Cuban community. Many have taken it in good humor, highlighting the excellent imitation of the Cuban accent, while others have criticized the use of their culture as an easy resource for making people laugh.
What comparison does Abelardo make between a Cuban Uber and ChatGPT?
Abelardo compares the "Cuban Uber" to ChatGPT, stating that, just like artificial intelligence, the Cuban driver is ready to talk and answer any questions, even if the passenger has chosen the option not to engage in conversation.
What has been the main criticism of the use of stereotypes in Abelardo's monologue?
The main criticism focuses on the fact that stereotypes about Cubans are used to generate laughter. Some viewers have pointed out that not all Cubans are the same and that not all are loud or have specific political associations, as suggested by the monologue.
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