The Cuban artist and activist Yotuel Romero sent an emotional message to his people, stating that the spirit of July 11, 2021 (11J) remains alive and that a new popular uprising in Cuba could this time receive greater support from the world.
“It has been difficult. It has been complicated. The doors do not always open when it comes to telling the truth about Cuba. But we have not stopped. Patria y Vida is not just a movie: it is a collective cry, an open wound, a memory that refuses to die,” the musician expressed in a message posted on his social media.
Yotuel recalled the effort it has taken to bring his documentary Patria y Vida: The Power of Music to theaters, emphasizing that cinema is not just entertainment, but a space to reflect, embrace, and raise one's voice without fear.
"Looking for rooms, knocking on doors, insisting because cinema is not just a screen: it is a place to reconnect, to embrace each other through tears, to shout without fear, so that the world asks: What is happening in there?" shared the former member of Orishas.
The artist highlighted the warm reception the film received in Spain, where many people approached him to express their solidarity with the suffering of the Cuban people and their desire to see a free Cuba. “That is the empathy that the dictatorship has tried to steal from us. And it is also something we need to reclaim,” he stated.
Finally, Yotuel thanked his collaborators for bringing Patria y Vida to movie theaters in the United States and delivered a message of hope and resilience:
"Get ready, because the world is going to see what we did. It will witness the bravery of a people who rose up on July 11. And we will do it again. I know it. God is watching us. And now the world will be on our side."
Patria y Vida is a song resulting from the collaboration of Maykel Osorbo, El Funky, Yotuel, Gente de Zona, and Descemer Bueno, dedicated to calling for the end of the Cuban regime and the freedom of Cuba.
The theme accompanied each of the Cubans who took to the streets four years ago to denounce the dictatorship and demand a better Cuba, free from communism and fully liberated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yotuel Romero and the 11J in Cuba
What message did Yotuel Romero send about a possible new uprising in Cuba?
Yotuel Romero stated that the spirit of July 11, 2021, is still alive and that a new popular uprising in Cuba could garner greater international support. He expressed that "God is watching us" and that the world will now stand with the Cuban people. This message was shared through his social media, highlighting the importance of the documentary "Patria y Vida: The Power of Music" as a space for reflection and the struggle for Cuba's freedom.
How has the documentary "Patria y Vida" been received in other countries?
The film has been well received in countries like Spain, where many people have expressed their solidarity with the suffering of the Cuban people. Yotuel Romero highlighted the empathy shown by the international audience, who wish to see Cuba free from the current regime. The documentary is not only a means of entertainment but a tool to amplify the voices of Cubans and reflect on the situation on the island.
What impact has the song "Patria y Vida" had since its release?
"Patria y Vida" has become an anthem of change and the struggle for freedom in Cuba. Released in 2021, the song brought together artists such as Maykel Osorbo, El Funky, Yotuel, Gente de Zona, and Descemer Bueno. It has transcended borders and has established itself as a banner for the fight for human rights in Cuba. During events such as the Gente de Zona concert in Miami, the song has resonated strongly, symbolizing the desire for change on the island.
What has been Yotuel Romero's stance on the Cuban regime?
Yotuel Romero has maintained a critical stance against the Cuban regime. He has denounced the lack of freedoms and the repression in Cuba, highlighting that the Cuban revolution has only built hotels for tourists while the people live in precarious conditions. His activism has been unwavering, using his music and his voice to demand change and condemn the dictatorship on the island.
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