State-owned company accused of wrongdoing against renowned artist in Santiago de Cuba

A public complaint circulated on social media this Tuesday accuses the Miguel Matamoros Music and Entertainment Marketing Company, in Santiago de Cuba, of mistreatment and institutional abuse against the renowned artist Ricardo Peral Alonso, director of the Modelos Andante company, who has over two decades of work within the state system.

The complaint was made on Facebook by activist Daniela Peral, daughter of the artist, who stated in her post that the company run by her father has been registered in the company's catalog for over 20 years, without fulfilling the basic commitments that this entity must guarantee during that time, such as promotion, hiring, consulting, and minimum conditions for artistic presentations.

"What company does this?", Peral questioned. "Practically none, but the percentage agreed upon between the artistic unit and her depends on that management," he added.

In the case of Modelos Andante, he stated that even the monthly payments are not made on time, which, in his words, is already evidence of institutional deterioration.

The situation is said to have escalated on Monday when —according to her testimony— the director of the company, Rosa María Prades Bell, allegedly shouted at, humiliated, and threatened the artist, demanding that he sign a new revenue percentage that, according to the complainant, was imposed arbitrarily.

Peral stated that her father left the place after being verbally mistreated, in an environment that—according to her—should protect his rights as a creator.

The activist stated that the official's reaction constitutes an abuse of power, and made it clear that they are not seeking a personal conflict, but rather the defense of the rights that belong to them as artists.

"Don’t think that this will turn into a pyrrhic or personal war; we have the law on our side, even if you believe you are above it," he warned.

In closing, Peral defended his father's legacy and what Modelos Andante represents for Santiago's culture: “It is the only show that still remains in (his) company, and it is not due to her; it is due to the persistence and dedication of its director, who has been there longer than you and does not deserve to be mistreated by anyone.”

And he concluded with a phrase full of pain and protest: “The pure artist is not dead; you are killing him. Santiago artists, how long will you remain silent?”

So far, the Music and Entertainment Marketing Company Miguel Matamoros has not made any public statement on social media regarding these allegations.

However, several individuals have responded to this complaint. Among them, the activist Lara Crofs, whose real name is Yamilka Lafita, expressed on social media that the Miguel Matamoros Music and Entertainment Commercialization Company is not fulfilling its obligations to the Andante Models Company, nor its duty to represent, promote, and ensure decent conditions for its artists.

She also reported that her director, Rosa María Prades Bell, "humiliated and yelled at Ricardo Peral Alonso, the company director, under threats and abusing her power."

In his message, Crofs stated: "Enough of the institutional mistreatment of art and artists in Santiago de Cuba!" and defended the artist's legacy: "Ricardo Peral Alonso does not need defense: his work and legacy speak for themselves."

The producer Daya Prieto also reacted, identifying with the complaint as she recalled her own experience with the Music and Entertainment Marketing Company of Holguín (EPCME).

"It has been many years of struggling... The same problems, the same violations. It has been so many years since that institution should have ceased to exist... it serves no purpose, contributes nothing, represents or commercializes nothing," he expressed.

Prieto denounced the abusive nature of the system, describing it as "a demolishing machinery of creation and inherently fraudulent," and recalled the mistreatment endured by his father, a recognized singer-songwriter, whom —as he recounted— the company treated with disregard until his last days.

"The payments to the ONAT were always disproportionate to the income. My father's post-mortem checkbook, after more than 30 years of work, is for one thousand Cuban pesos," he detailed.

Despite mentioning that there were committed directors at some point, he stated that his overall experience with that entity was one of "bitter memories."

For his part, Yasmani Castro Caballero publicly highlighted the career and impact of Ricardo Peral Alonso on the cultural life of Santiago de Cuba.

"I am well aware of your father's value and the importance he has had for the cultural development of that city, which endures through thick and thin," he affirmed. Castro also expressed his hope for a favorable resolution to the situation: "I hope this dilemma has a happy ending."

The photographer Rubén Aja Garí also joined the reactions, highlighting the essential role of creators in the cultural fabric of the country.

"Sometimes we forget that executives come and go, but artists and their work endure... That institutions exist thanks to artists, not the other way around," he wrote.

Aja criticized the attitude of some officials who, rather than supporting creativity, discourage artistic initiatives: “We know of institutions where their officials tell artists, 'don't get creative'... What utter nonsense,” he concluded.

Another voice that joined the reactions was that of the artist Dialexis Palacio, who deeply lamented the treatment that creators receive within the Cuban institutional system.

"It is unfortunate the mistreatment we artists endure. The ineptitude, the abuse, and the trivialities are examples of what are so often referred to as 'human miseries,'" she expressed.

Palacio emphasized that music companies exist thanks to artists, not the other way around, and offered a critical reflection on the neglect that many creators feel: "Let culture save us, because we have no support from anyone."

The artist Jorge Castillo Rodríguez also expressed his support for Ricardo Peral Alonso and the company Andante, with which he stated he has had a personal and artistic connection since its inception.

"I stand in solidarity with any cause in favor of 'Andante', which practically originated in the spaces I navigate. I also know very well that humble artist, Ricardo Peral Alonso, who is very prudent and professional," he stated.

Castillo lamented the current context facing creators of the show in Santiago de Cuba and shared his own experience of institutional mistreatment: "The challenges that Ricardo and his 'Andante' are experiencing today I have lived myself. The difference is that those of us who speak out have the doors closed to us much earlier."

In various regions of the country, reports are accumulating that portray the arbitrary behavior of Cuban state entities toward citizens who assert their rights or simply express their identity.

For example, in Santiago de Cuba, Jorge L. Veranes Vera, a custodian with 14 years of experience at the H-2 cafeteria in the José Martí District, was without receiving his salary since November 2024.

The cafeteria, under the Municipal Gastronomy Company and operating as part of the Family Care System (SAF), maintained its operations and product sales, but the revenue did not translate into payment for those providing the service.

One of these cases occurred when a young man was expelled from a state cafeteria in Palmares, Ciego de Ávila, for the simple reason of dressing in a different style. The discriminatory treatment included insults and derogatory remarks that highlight the lack of institutional protocols for respecting diversity.

Another testimony recounts the story of a Cuban who, after being a victim of homophobic harassment in several institutions, was systematically marginalized from various workplaces.

The entities involved not only failed to act but also participated in or covered up the events, consolidating a power structure that punishes difference and silences internal complaints.

The situation is not exclusive to one sector. In Guantánamo, a trans woman was expelled from a state establishment for "not meeting the profile of a woman" that the place required from its clients.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Institutional Harassment of Artist Ricardo Peral Alonso in Cuba