The Cuban actor and comedian Andy Vázquez broke his silence this Friday after it was revealed that Rafael Pérez Insua, former director of the state channel Cubavisión, is currently residing in the United States, a country he entered in 2024 through the border with Mexico and using the CBP One application.
In statements to Martí Noticias, Vázquez —who gained great popularity in Cuba for his character Facundo Correcto on the show “Vivir del Cuento”— claimed that the former official was one of the direct responsables for his censorship and subsequent departure from the country.
"This man was part of the censorship apparatus that forced me to leave my country. He has never apologized. He never faced the consequences. And now he is here, benefiting from migration privileges that are intended for people like me, not for repressors," Vázquez stated during the interview.
He recalled that the Cuban television conducted a "smear campaign" against him, which closed doors to the program and led to the cancellation of all his artistic projects and performances, forcing him into exile.
This is especially true after the comedian posted the video "Mercado Cuatro Caminos" on social media, a satire about the reopening of that Havana shopping center.
The sketch went viral and prompted a quick reaction from the authorities, who at the very least accused it of being funded from the U.S.
"They summoned me, accused me of working for imperialism, and pressured me to retract my statements. They sanctioned me and closed all doors. It was a hunt," the artist recalled, who ultimately exiled himself in the U.S., leaving behind his wife, his mother, and a newborn daughter.
According to Vázquez, Pérez Insua was responsible for publicly justifying his departure from the program and denying any censorship, even stating that Facundo was not one of his characters.
Pérez Insúa himself went on air to assure that Vivir del Cuento would not be taken off the air and that Vázquez was not sanctioned; rather, he was out of the country, he explained.
"I bought the guayabera myself. I created the character myself. We handled the makeup ourselves. He lied and said he spoke with me when I have never seen him in person," he exclaimed indignantly.
The actor warned about the increasing number of former regime officials who have managed to settle in the United States through migration pathways intended for political refugees.
"If you come fleeing from the regime, the first thing you do is denounce it. But if you arrive and keep quiet, it means you still work for them," she emphasized.
Former director of Cubavisión, Rafael Pérez Insua was an influential figure within the Cuban state media system.
The day before, Martí Noticias revealed that he entered the U.S. in August 2024 and initially settled in Texas, before moving to Miami, where he avoids any public exposure and hopes to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act, according to close sources.
Attempts to contact by the prestigious media outlet from Florida were unsuccessful: Insua hung up upon recognizing the voice of journalist Mario J Pentón.
The case reopening reignites the debate regarding the arrival of individuals linked to official repression in the United States, which has sparked renewed criticism among exiles and victims of censorship, who demand greater scrutiny in migration processes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Andy Vázquez and Rafael Pérez Insua
Why does Andy Vázquez criticize Rafael Pérez Insua's arrival in the United States?
Andy Vázquez criticizes the arrival of Pérez Insua, as he views him as part of the censorship apparatus that forced him to leave Cuba. According to Vázquez, Pérez Insua was responsible for publicly justifying his departure from the program "Vivir del Cuento" and denying the censorship, which led him to seek exile in the U.S. The comedian feels resentful that former officials of the regime benefit from migration pathways intended for political dissidents.
How did Rafael Pérez Insua enter the United States?
Rafael Pérez Insua entered the United States through the border with Mexico in 2024. He used the CBP One app for his entry. Initially, he settled in Texas, but later moved to Miami, where he has avoided public exposure while he waits to take advantage of the Cuban Adjustment Act.
What role did Rafael Pérez Insua play in the censorship of Andy Vázquez?
Rafael Pérez Insua was one of the individuals responsible for the censorship that Andy Vázquez faced in Cuba. As an executive at Cubavisión, Pérez Insua justified Vázquez's departure from the show "Vivir del Cuento" and publicly denied the censorship, which led the comedian to seek exile in the United States.
What impact has the arrival of former officials of the Cuban regime had in the United States?
The arrival of former officials from the Cuban regime in the United States has sparked outrage among the Cuban exiles. These cases reopen the debate about the arrival of individuals linked to official repression and raise the need for greater scrutiny in migration processes, as many believe it is unfair for them to benefit from pathways designed for political persecuted individuals.
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