Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), publicly expressed his support for the Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría after he held the government of President Donald Trump responsible for exacerbating the crisis that Cuba is experiencing.
Through a Facebook post, Hernández praised the artist and defended his right to express opinions on the country's situation, while criticizing those who, according to him, are questioning him now for his statements.
"I admire Jorge Perugorría not only for being a glory of our culture, but also because he is a consistent artist, one who speaks his mind, both here and 'over there,'" he wrote.
In his message, the leader stated that he has heard the actor criticize aspects he considers poorly done in Cuba and pointed out that when he does so, many of the people who criticize him today tended to applaud those positions.
"When he does it, many of those who now criticize him praise him," Hernández stated.
He also accused certain sectors of defending freedom of expression only when it comes to criticisms directed at the Cuban government, but not when the embargo or U.S. policies towards the Island are questioned.
"Among them are those who only defend 'freedom of expression' when it involves speaking against Cuba, and they lack the courage to criticize even the blockade they wish to use to suffocate their people," she wrote.
The official added that, in his view, those criticisms did not arise during the health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic nor in the current situation.
"They didn't do it when they denied us breathing machines during Covid, nor will they do it now, as they prevent our hospitals from having power and medicines," he added.
In the conclusion of his publication, he quoted the Cuban national hero José Martí: "When there are many men without honor, there are always others who possess the honor of many men."
Gerardo Hernández is one of the members of the group known as "The Five," Cuban agents who served sentences in the United States for espionage and later returned to the Island.
He currently holds the position of national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, one of the main organizations in the Cuban political system.
What is Perugorría criticizing?
Hernández's comments respond to statements made recently by Jorge Perugorría during the Málaga Film Festival, where the actor presented the film "Neurótica anónima," which he directs alongside Cuban actress Mirtha Ibarra.
At a press conference, the artist stated that the U.S. government's policy under Donald Trump towards Cuba has exacerbated the situation the country is facing.
He explained that Washington's decision to "strangle" the Island is pushing the country "to the brink of a humanitarian crisis."
"We are in the worst moment in the history of our country," the actor stated, attributing part of the severity of the situation to the pressure politics exerted by the United States on Havana.
During the meeting with the press, Perugorría also referred to the impact of the economic and social crisis on everyday life and the cultural sector, particularly in the film industry.
The actor recounted that he recently had to halt the filming of a movie due to the fuel shortage in the country.
"I was going to start filming a movie last week, and we had to stop because there is no fuel, and the little that is available has to be prioritized for essential matters, such as hospitals," he declared to the EFE agency.
Perugorría further explained that audiovisual production on the island has decreased significantly. According to him, in the past year, only "four or five" films were produced due to a lack of resources.
The everyday situation on the Island
During the same presentation in Málaga, the actress Mirtha Ibarra described the everyday context currently experienced in Cuba.
According to reports, the population faces significant challenges in accessing basic services.
"We are without water, without electricity, experiencing blackouts of up to 48 hours. The country is on its knees," he stated.
The statements made by the actor and the actress reignited a frequent debate among opposition sectors and parts of the Cuban cultural sphere regarding the causes of the crisis the country is facing.
Perugorría, one of the most well-known actors in Cuban cinema, has repeatedly defended the idea that the U.S. embargo is a key factor in the economic difficulties faced by the Island, a stance that aligns with the narrative upheld by the regime.
The artist also had a visible role during the protests on November 27, 2020, in front of the Ministry of Culture, when he participated as a spokesperson in the dialogue between cultural authorities and a group of artists demanding greater freedoms.
Currently, Perugorría is involved in several cultural and business projects in Havana, including the bar-restaurant Yarini and other venues connected to the city's cultural scene.
At the same time, he remains active as an actor, film director, and visual artist, blending his creative work with the management of cultural initiatives in the Cuban capital.
Filed under: