The Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, head of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), reacted strongly to the statements made by actor and director Jorge Perugorría during the Malaga Film Festival, where the artist claimed that the policy of "strangling" Cuba promoted by the government of U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing the country toward "a humanitarian crisis."
In a message posted on social media, Ferrer described the actor's stance as “miserable” and solely blamed the Cuban regime for the crisis that the island is experiencing.
"Jorge Perugorría's position is miserable. The only true culprits of the terrible crisis that Cuba is experiencing are the criminal Castro-communist regime," wrote the opposition member.
Ferrer also expressed his support for the U.S. president and asserted that Trump has been “the most supportive friend” that the Cuban people have had so far. He added that if he succeeds in implementing his policies toward the island, he could go down “in history as the Liberator of the 21st Century.”
"Wretched is the one who, out of fear and/or petty interest, blames those who should not be blamed," he added.
The opponent's words respond to statements made by Perugorría at a press conference during the Málaga Film Festival, where he presented the film 'Neurótica anónima', which he directs alongside Cuban actress Mirtha Ibarra.
“We are in the worst moment in the history of our country,” said the actor, who attributed part of the gravity of the situation to Washington's pressure policy towards Havana.
Perugorría stated that the economic crisis the country is experiencing is also seriously affecting film production. He explained that he recently had to halt the filming of a movie due to a shortage of fuel.
"I was about to start filming a movie last week and we had to stop because there is no fuel and the little that is available must be prioritized for essential matters, like hospitals," he declared to EFE.
The actor also noted that in the past year, only "four or five" films were produced on the island due to a lack of resources.
During the same presentation, actress Ibarra described the everyday situation in Cuba as extremely difficult. "We are without water, without electricity, with blackouts of up to 48 hours. The country is on the floor," she lamented.
The actor's statements have reignited a recurring debate among opposition sectors and some within the Cuban cultural sphere regarding the causes of the crisis the island is experiencing.
Perugorría, one of the most recognized faces of Cuban cinema, has previously defended the thesis that the U.S. embargo is a determining factor in the country's economic difficulties, a position that often aligns with the official discourse of the Cuban government.
The actor also had a prominent role during the protests on November 27, 2020, outside the Ministry of Culture, when he participated as a mediator in the dialogue between cultural authorities and a group of artists who were demanding greater freedoms.
He is currently involved in cultural and business projects in Havana, including the bar-restaurant Yarini and other venues linked to the city's cultural circuit, while remaining active as an actor, director, and visual artist.
The exchange between Ferrer and Perugorría reflects the deep disagreement that exists both inside and outside Cuba regarding the causes of the crisis the island is experiencing, characterized by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, lack of food, and a widespread deterioration of basic services.
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