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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 Málaga Film Festival, where the artist claimed that the policy of "strangling" Cuba promoted by the government of President Donald Trump is pushing the country towards "a humanitarian crisis."
In a message posted on social media, Ferrer described the actor's stance as "miserable" and solely held the Cuban regime responsible for the crisis facing the island.
"Jorge Perugorría's miserable stance. The only true culprits of the terrible crisis that Cuba is experiencing are the criminal Castro-communist regime," the opposition member wrote.
Ferrer also expressed his support for the U.S. president and asserted that Trump has been “the most supportive friend” the Cuban people have had so far. He added that if he succeeds in implementing his policies towards 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 the Cuban actress Mirtha Ibarra.
"We are in the worst moment in the history of our country," said the actor, who attributed part of the seriousness of the situation to Washington's pressure policy toward Havana.
Perugorría stated that the economic crisis affecting the country is also seriously impacting film production. He explained that he recently had to halt the shooting of a movie due to a fuel shortage.
"I was supposed to start filming a movie last week, but we had to stop because there is no fuel, and the little that is available must be prioritized for essential needs, such as hospitals," stated to EFE.
The actor also pointed out that in the past year only "four or five" movies 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, facing blackouts of up to 48 hours. The country is in ruins," she lamented.
The actor's statements have reignited an ongoing debate among opposition groups and certain sectors of the Cuban cultural scene 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 stance 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 demanding greater freedoms.
He currently manages cultural and business projects in Havana, including the bar-restaurant Yarini and other spaces connected 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 both within and outside of Cuba regarding the causes of the crisis the island is experiencing, characterized by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, food scarcity, and a widespread deterioration of basic services.
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