Boncó Quiñongo Celebrates 20 Years in the United States: "I Learned the True Story of Cuba"

The Cuban comedian Boncó Quiñongo celebrated this Tuesday his 20 years of living in the United States with an emotional message reflecting on his exile, his political evolution, and his commitment to the freedom of Cuba.

In his words, shared on Facebook, the actor also stated that "it was in Miami where I learned the true story of Cuba", a statement that encapsulates the political awakening he experienced after arriving from Barcelona, Spain, with the help of the host and comedian Carlucho.

“I arrived with a contract and a work visa, and here since I arrived I learned the true story of Cuba and I spoke out against the dictatorship,” he wrote.

His experience in media outlets such as Radio Martí and Radio República, where he worked with political prisoners like Antúnez, solidified his critical stance towards the Cuban regime. “I have been consistent all these years,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to the cause of “God, Family, Country and Freedom.”

True to his style, Boncó also emphasized his artistic identity, clarifying that he is neither a "YouTuber nor an influencer," although he respects the work of those who express themselves in that way against the dictatorship.

"I always say that I am an artist who for 37 years has tried to make people happy and loves the Cuban people who made me the man I am today professionally,” he emphasized.

Boncó was a popular figure on Cuban television before his departure from the island. His sense of humor helped him win over the audience on programs like Sabadazo, but it also made him a reference point within the Cuban exile community for his way of discussing pain, uprooting, and the need for change, without resorting to hatred.

“I stand firm in my position against the inefficient and terrorist PCC and continue to repeat that it is the sole and main cause of what my Cuba suffers today, both economically and socially,” he declared.

A life marked by exile and family

In these 20 years away from Cuba, Boncó has also experienced moments of deep pain and joy. In 2018, he managed to reunite with his daughters Nathaly and Naomi, whom he had not seen for years, thanks to the mediation of a travel agency that facilitated the family reunion in Punta Cana.

It was a moment he described as “the most special” of his life. “Some people think that happiness lies in money or power, but few know that it’s found in family,” he said at that time.

This trip marked an exception in his relationship with Cuba, a country he has not returned to and which keeps him away from loved ones, even preventing him from knowing where his father is buried.

“Apart from my daughters, it separated me from my father; I don't know where the hell my father is buried, the one who gave me all the education I have,” he confessed on the podcast El Confesionario with Carlucho, in 2024.

In favor of unity, against hate

Boncó has also been criticized by other members of the exile community for not attending demonstrations or for collaborating with initiatives that, in the opinion of some, link him to the Cuban regime.

In 2025, he responded harshly to those who criticized him for not attending a protest called by Alexander Otaola in Washington.

“I don't want to hear now that if I’m not in Washington… because it’s the same thing that happened in Cuba: they would tell you not to go to work, that there’s a march, while someone from the committee is taking notes,” he said, calling for an end to the pressure mechanisms that have caused so much harm on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions about Boncó Quiñongo and His Exile in the United States