The Cuban actor Jorge Martínez, one of the most popular faces on national television, broke his silence about an incident that marked his career: the cancellation of his show for broadcasting his own wedding.
In a recent interview with "La Familia Cubana," Martínez recalled in detail what happened in 2006, when he was hosting "El Expreso," a musical magazine that aired on Sundays on Cubavisión.
At the initiative of the management team, a wedding was organized with his then-girlfriend—a dancer from the same group—to be broadcast as part of the show. The ceremony was not live, but pre-recorded, and aired four days later.
The institutional reaction was severe: the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT) issued an official statement labeling the ceremony as "unacceptable" and announced sanctions for those involved.
The scandal unleashed a wave of scrutiny within the media system, and although there was a subsequent attempt to continue the program as if nothing had happened, neither Jorge nor the director agreed. "El Expreso" was canceled.
"It was embarrassing and a lack of respect towards us and the audience. They handled it as if we were criminals. A huge situation arose, with official statements and a thousand questions. Then they wanted to backtrack..." said Martínez.
The actor recalled that high-ranking officials were celebrating weddings in Cancun or on yachts; in fact, it wasn't the first time that actors were getting married on television.
But, as he himself reflected: "In this country, life is lived in moments."
But institutional cowardice is constant. This was confirmed by him, for whom the worst memory of that moment was the cowardice of the executives, who hid instead of defending their team.
" Nowadays, none of those leaders exist, and I continue to exist as an artist. The artist is for the people, the leader comes and goes, takes off and puts on… well, in some places," he joked.
The episode exposed one of the harshest realities of the Cuban system: institutional censorship and the exemplary punishment of those who dare to break the official mold.
A life marked by adversity
In the same interview, Jorge Martínez also spoke about his battle with cancer, which he has faced twice. The first time was over a decade ago when he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.
Doctors told him he had only six months to live and it was necessary to remove one of his lungs. At that time, the actor was smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. "I would wake up with the urge to smoke. I couldn't go one or two hours without smoking," he confessed.
Against all odds, he overcame that illness and shortly thereafter returned to the filming of the movie "Últimos días en La Habana," directed by Fernando Pérez. For the role, he had to lose 12 kilos in just two months, an extreme effort given his physical condition.
The second battle came in 2023 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Two lymph nodes came back positive just as he was filming the telenovela "El derecho de soñar." He was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation while filming up to 14 scenes a day.
"I lost my sense of taste, my salivary glands, everything. I spent almost a year consuming only liquids, broths. I dropped to 42 kilos..." he recalled.
During that critical period, he lived alone and had to fend for himself. His recovery was possible thanks to a friend who took him in for a year in Italy. Today, he claims to feel well and remains active in acting.
Despite the silences, the illnesses, and the institutional punishments, Jorge Martínez remains a significant figure in Cuban art, supported by the affection of an audience that has not forgotten him.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jorge Martínez and Censorship on Cuban Television
Why was the show "El Expreso," hosted by Jorge Martínez, canceled?
The program "El Expreso" was cancelled because Jorge Martínez televised his own wedding, which was deemed "unacceptable" by the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT). The wedding, which was recorded and broadcast days later, sparked a wave of inquiries and sanctions from the authorities, leading to the cancellation of the program.
How has censorship in Cuba affected public figures like Jorge Martínez?
Censorship in Cuba has impacted public figures such as Jorge Martínez through the cancellation of their programs and a lack of institutional support. Martínez described the cowardice of the executives who did not defend his program after the controversy, emphasizing how censorship punishes those who break away from the official mold. Despite this, Martínez remains a reference point in Cuban art thanks to the support of the public.
What health challenges has Jorge Martínez faced throughout his life?
Jorge Martínez has faced two battles against cancer, first with advanced lung cancer, which he overcame after having one lung removed, and more recently, throat cancer, which affected him while he was filming a telenovela. Despite these challenges, he has continued his artistic career and remains active thanks to the support of friends and his personal determination.
What is Jorge Martínez's perception of the media system in Cuba?
Jorge Martínez perceives the media system in Cuba as restrictive and punishing, especially towards those who dare to break away from the official mold. He criticizes the lack of support from executives and laments the institutional censorship that affects artists and their projects, which he considers one of the harshest realities of the Cuban system.
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