The deputy Elián González Brotons stated that before 1959, Cuba did not have great artists or athletes, while defending the alleged advancements of the Revolution in cultural and sports matters.
According to the regime's propagandist on the island, everything that the Cuban people recognize today as cultural identity and sporting pride was only possible thanks to the socialist system.
"While we have a talented people, a people that inherently produces great athletes, musicians, and artists, it was not the same before the triumph of the revolution," González stated in an interview recorded in Mexico City, which was shared by the official portal Cubainformación.
The statements took place in the context of the IX Continental Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, from October 9 to 12, where the regime's spokesperson participated, alongside Aleida Guevara.
In the opinion of someone who also works in the hotel and tourism sector in the province of Matanzas, the people of Puerto Rico, Colombia, or Bolivia are not very different from Cubans and also possess talent in their DNA.
"But what is missing are the resources to capitalize on it, to bring it forth, to motivate it. And that is what the revolution has done with that Cuban DNA—empowering it, supporting it, providing the resources, not large resources, but rather taking them to everyone, to each and every corner. And that is what has earned respect and recognition and the moral high ground of being a small country while achieving significant results," he stated.
The statements made by the deputy, who also defended the continuity of the Cuban political model and , are generating controversy on social media.
Numerous users recalled that before the dictator Fidel Castro (1926-2016) entered Havana in 1959, republican Cuba had been the cradle of a wide array of world-renowned cultural and sports figures such as Celia Cruz, Rita Montaner, Rosa Fornés, Alicia Alonso, Benny Moré, Eligio Sardiñas (Kid Chocolate), Ignacio Villa (Bola de Nieve), and José Raúl Capablanca, among many others.
The former raft boy, known worldwide for the legal case that defined his childhood in 2000, also insisted that the Cuban youth "remains committed to the revolutionary project."
He also emphasized that those who have emigrated have primarily done so for economic reasons, not political ones, and that when the crisis reverses, many will return.
González's statements confirm the positions that the Cuban regime has held for decades regarding the republican era (1902-1958), portraying it as a monolithic block of puppet governments, corruption, and failure—an oversimplification that hinders complex analysis.
Encouraged by an orthodox official discourse and subject to censorship, a significant portion of the Cuban population, especially the younger generations, exhibits a considerable lack of knowledge about Cuba's first half of the 20th century, particularly the period following the approval of the 1940 Constitution, despite being marked by profound social transformations, a deeper democratic engagement, and a more committed civil society.
Just last Thursday, in a new act of censorship, the National Center for Popular Music abruptly canceled the tribute that the El Público theater group, led by Carlos Díaz, was organizing in collaboration with the Cuban Art Factory (FAC) to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Celia Cruz (1925-2003).
Frequently Asked Questions about Elián González and His Vision of Pre-Revolutionary Cuba
Why does Elián González claim that there were no great artists or athletes in Cuba before 1959?
According to Elián González, the cultural and sports advancements in Cuba are the result of the socialist system that was implemented after the Revolution. He asserts that before 1959, although Cuba had a talented population, there were no great artists or athletes because the necessary resources to nurture these talents were lacking. González maintains that the Revolution was responsible for providing the resources and support needed for cultural and sports development.
What cultural and sports figures existed in Cuba before 1959?
Before 1959, Cuba was the birthplace of renowned cultural and sports figures such as Celia Cruz, Rita Montaner, Rosa Fornés, Alicia Alonso, Benny Moré, and athletes like Kid Chocolate and Ignacio Villa (Bola de Nieve). These artists and athletes gained international recognition prior to the Revolution, refuting the claims made by Elián González.
How does Elián González justify the massive exodus of Cubans in recent years?
Elián González attributes the massive exodus of Cubans mainly to economic factors, suggesting that it is not due to the political system of the country. He believes that once the economy improves, many Cubans who have emigrated will return "joyfully" to the island. However, this view overlooks the criticisms regarding political repression and the multi-systemic crisis that are also factors in the exodus.
What role does the U.S. embargo play in the official narrative about the crisis in Cuba?
In the official Cuban narrative, the U.S. embargo is pointed out as the main culprit for the economic and social crisis facing the country. Elián González defends this stance, stating that the embargo is the primary obstacle to Cuba's development. However, this view is criticized by many who believe that the internal political system also bears significant responsibility for the current situation in the country.
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