Luis Silva, the popular comedian who brings the character Pánfilo Epifanio to life, shook up social media again this Monday with a satirical music video laden with social commentary.
Inspired by the recent and controversial statements made by Cuba's Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, the actor presented an adaptation of the famous song "El muerto vivo," humorously titled "They weren't beggars, they were disguised".
The video, shared on his social media, shows Pánfilo singing his song, directly referencing the words of the minister, who denied the existence of beggars in Cuba and claimed that people who search for food in the streets or ask for alms do not need to do so.
"We have seen individuals who appear to be beggars; when you look at their hands, when you see the clothes they wear, those people are disguised as beggars. They are not beggars, there are no beggars in Cuba," stated the official during one of the sessions of the Cuban parliament.
Luis Silva, who has made humor a tool to portray the contradictions of life in Cuba, did not miss the opportunity to turn the absurd into art. His musical version is based on the song popularized by the Catalan Peret and composed by the Colombian Guillermo González Arenas, in which a "dead man" reappears after a party.
The video of Pánfilo mocks Feitó's explanations, who referred to the homeless as people who have “found an easy way of life” or who are just looking for “alcoholic drinks on the corner.”
"That thing about them searching for food in dumpsters, that's not true either," the minister said, attributing the phenomenon to "imposed patterns" and accusing the so-called divers of being "illegal self-employed workers."
The release of Pánfilo's video generated thousands of reactions in just a few hours, with users celebrating Silva's ingenuity and the ability of humor to highlight the divide between the official narrative and everyday reality.
In a country where 89% of families live in extreme poverty, according to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), denying the existence of begging is not only insensitive but also offensive.
The satire of Pánfilo entertains and provokes. The catchy and biting refrain makes Cubans laugh while exposing the cynicism of an official discourse that insists on denying the obvious.
Frequently asked questions about the controversial statement by the Cuban minister and Pánfilo's response
What did the Minister of Labor and Social Security of Cuba declare about beggars?
Minister Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera denied the existence of beggars in Cuba, stating that the people who appear to be beggars are "disguised." According to her statement, these individuals have found an "easy lifestyle" without the need to work formally, which sparked strong criticism on social media and among Cubans.
How did the comedian Luis Silva react to the minister's statements?
Luis Silva, in his character of Pánfilo Epifanio, released a satirical song titled "They Were Not Beggars, They Were Disguised," based on the famous song "The Living Dead." The music video critiques the words of the minister and mocks her attempt to deny begging in Cuba. The satire has strongly resonated among Cubans, highlighting the disconnect between the official discourse and the reality of the country.
What was the economist Pedro Monreal's response to the minister?
The economist Pedro Monreal harshly criticized the minister, stating that her speech is "outrageously reactionary." Monreal sarcastically remarked that "it must be that there are also people disguised as 'minister'" and called for combating poverty, not the poor. His statements highlighted the lack of empathy and the cynicism of the Cuban regime towards the critical situation faced by the population.
What impact has Pánfilo's satire had on Cuban society?
The satire of Pánfilo, much like the song "They Were Not Beggars, They Were Disguised," has had a significant impact on Cuban society. It has generated thousands of reactions on social media and has been celebrated for its wit and ability to critique the official narrative of the Cuban government. It highlights the contradictions of the regime and resonates with the daily experiences of the population, which faces a harsh reality that is denied by the authorities.
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