The Cuban professional boxer Gustavo Trujillo, known as "The Cuban Assassin," has sparked debate on social media again after posting a video on Instagram in which he defended the Cuban influencer Samantha Hernández, amidst the controversy surrounding the young content creator due to her comments about Cuba and her choice to stay out of the political debate.
In the video, Trujillo harshly criticized those who have attacked Hernández on social media, accusing them of focusing on a figure who, in his view, lacks political training and does not aim to position themselves as an analyst of the country's situation.
"I see you all have it in for this girl, Samantha. You really are opportunistic and shameless," the boxer expressed.
Trujillo acknowledged that the influencer may lack political knowledge, but he insisted that this does not justify the level of pressure she faces on social media, in his opinion.
"It is known that politically speaking, the girl is ignorant, that she knows nothing about politics, or anything at all. And if she does know, she's just pretending to be clueless, that's fine. But stop pointing fingers at her," he stated.
Trujillo also stated that the criticisms should be directed at other individuals who, in his opinion, bear greater responsibility within the public debate, and he accused certain sectors of the Cuban opposition of being selective when questioning problematic behaviors.
"Those are the ones you need to talk to, all those shameless opponents you have here in the opposition, who have been promoting all the businesses of the dictatorship, and you know very well who they are," he said.
In his opinion, the controversy reflects the divisions that exist within the Cuban community in exile and what he perceives as opportunistic attitudes on social media.
"That's why the community is in its current state… because of the shameless people we have here," she stated.
At the end of his remarks, Trujillo reiterated that he will continue to express his opinions freely, defending his right to speak on issues he deems necessary.
"That's why I say whatever I want and speak whenever I want. Enough with the audacity. Take it up with the communists, because you know full well who the hidden communists are here in the United States," he concluded.
The origin of the controversy
The controversy that is now intensifying began after Samantha Hernández posted a message on social media in which she openly acknowledged the seriousness of the situation in Cuba, although she made it clear that she prefers not to get publicly involved in political debates.
It's obvious that I know there is a dictatorship in Cuba, it's obvious that I know there is hunger in Cuba, that there are blackouts, that there is no electricity, that there is no water, that there are no medicines; that if you speak out, you get imprisoned," said the influencer in a video.
Hernández explained that, although he is aware of the country's reality, he refrains from commenting on politics because he believes his words can be manipulated or taken out of context to create controversy on social media.
"Many people are fans of recording their screens and cutting a piece they know will go viral," he pointed out, explaining why he prefers to stay out of online political discussions.
The young woman also stated that she does not feel prepared to delve into political topics, as she believes she does not have enough information.
"I am a person who does not talk about politics, primarily because I don't know. I don't have any kind of information; I know the basics and what everyone knows," he stated.
In that same video, Hernández added that he does not like to get involved in topics he does not master and prefers to speak only about matters he knows well.
His statements sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many users interpreted his words as a sign of disinterest in learning more about the situation in his own country, which led to numerous criticisms.
The influencer claimed that, from her perspective, the political debate about Cuba has turned into a profitable source of content for some people. "I don’t want to be part of that circus."
Hernández also made it clear that he does not intend to comment on the country's situation due to external pressure. "I will speak when I feel I must speak."
Another point he mentioned is that he believes the impact of social media on what happens within Cuba is limited.
"The world already knows what is happening with Cuba. I, from a phone, am not going to change anything," he stated.
A debate that divides the Cuban community
Hernández's statements have sparked an increasingly intense discussion among social media users, especially within the Cuban diaspora.
Some believe that those with large digital audiences also have a moral responsibility to highlight the political, economic, and social crisis that Cuba is experiencing.
For these users, the influencer's stance contrasts with that of many Cubans who, even within the Island, use social media to denounce shortages, power outages, the lack of freedoms, or abuses by the authorities, even when doing so may have consequences for them.
Independent journalists, activists, and citizens who share information from Cuba often face police summons, interrogations, surveillance, or discredit campaigns for publishing critical content.
From that perspective, many believe that those living in countries with freedom of expression have an opportunity to amplify those complaints.
Other internet users, however, have defended Hernández's right to choose what topics to discuss on his platforms and to keep his content free from politics if he prefers.
Gustavo Trujillo's intervention now adds to that growing debate, reflecting the deep divisions of opinion within the Cuban community regarding the role that public figures with a digital presence should take when it comes to speaking about Cuba.
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