The Cuban reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo set social media ablaze once again after declaring in a recent interview shared by the influencer Papel Encara that he has "an insane desire" to set foot on U.S. soil.
The seemingly harmless confession was enough to reopen old wounds between the artist and the host Alexander Otaola, who quickly responded in the comments: “I’m waiting for you.”
The presenter’s comment on Instagram sparked a flood of reactions—over 80 responses in less than 24 hours—that mixed mockery, anticipation, and memories of the violent altercation they both had in Miami seven years ago.
"I have a strong urge to get there."
In the excerpt shared by Papel Encara, Yomil appears relaxed, discussing his plans with an enthusiastic and casual tone.
"Miami, my brother… there's no need to talk about that. I'm so excited to finally get there. It's going to be crazy. I know that with the things I'm going to do, the show, all of that, you know… I’ve been visualizing it for many years," said the musician, before adding that "a lot of people" are waiting for him.
The phrase "with wild excitement to set foot on American soil" was used by the influencer himself to title the post, accompanied by airplane and coffee emojis.
But what could have been merely a confession of nostalgia or artistic ambition quickly turned into a new chapter in the Yomil-Otaola confrontation, one of the most talked-about conflicts between an artist and a Cuban communicator in exile.
Otaola does not forgive
Under the post by Papel Encara, dozens of users tagged Alexander Otaola, encouraging him to react. Staying true to his direct style, the presenter left a brief yet powerful comment: "I'm waiting for it."
The response was enough to trigger an avalanche of comments from his followers—and Yomil's detractors—many recalling the 2018 incident where the reggaeton artist physically assaulted Otaola in a store in Miami.
On that occasion, the driver publicly reported the incident and announced that he would file charges, although the case was never resolved in court.
Since then, Otaola has not hidden his animosity towards the interpreter of ‘Te paso a buscar’, whom he has accused on several occasions of having ties with the Cuban regime. For his part, Yomil has called the presenter a “slanderer” and “anti-Cuban,” even accusing him of influencing the denial of his visa to the United States.
Between mockery and warnings
The comments on the post reflect the polarized atmosphere surrounding both figures. "The ICE is the one waiting for you," wrote one user, while another joked, "The G2 agents don't enter the U.S."
Others were more aggressive: “Where is this snitch going?”, “Stay in Cuba, cop”, “Get ready, because as soon as you set foot in Miami, you’re going straight to court”, or as one user commented, referencing the slap from 2018: “No one has the right to hit anyone, especially not someone who isn’t going to respond to you.”
Otaola's comment, in turn, was met with dozens of replies—filled with laughter, insults, and warnings—that confirm that, despite the passage of time, the confrontation remains vivid in the collective memory of the Cuban public.
Old rivalry, new platforms
The conflict between the two has become part of the pop imagery of exile. What started as a physical confrontation has led to years of insinuations, media attacks, and mutual accusations. Now, social media amplifies every word, every gesture, and every reaction.
For many users, the tension between Otaola and Yomil goes beyond the personal and reflects a broader divide: that which separates Cuban artists who have remained within the cultural system of the dictatorship from those, like Otaola, who openly denounce it from exile.
The echo of a "war" without truce
While Yomil dreams of reaching "la Yunay," Otaola assures him that he is waiting for him "like something good," the audience witnesses a new episode of a dispute that mixes showbiz, politics, and unresolved old scores.
Whether the reggaeton artist will finally set foot on U.S. soil remains uncertain, but what is clear is that if he does, the reception will be far from quiet.
In the words of a commentator: “Heeeere comes, there’s a sheriff and deputy waiting for you at the airport!”
And judging by the tone on social media, it doesn't seem like they were joking.
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