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The Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer responded this weekend to the statements made by the reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo, who had criticized Cubans engaging in political activism from abroad amidst the protests that have been shaking the island for more than a week.
In a message posted on the social network X, Ferrer defended the role of many dissidents who are currently outside the country and recalled that several of them faced imprisonment in Cuba for their struggle against the regime.
"Yomil, many of us who speak and act from abroad fight in Cuba and endure some of the worst prisons on the planet for the sake of freedom and the well-being of all Cubans," wrote the coordinator of the Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU).
The opposition member stated that the debate should not focus on what each person did in the past within the island, but rather on what Cubans—both inside and outside the country—can do now to achieve political change.
"The issue is not what they did or didn't do in Cuba. What matters is what those inside and those in exile do now to put an end to oppression and misery," he stated.
Ferrer also called for avoiding divisions among those who oppose the Cuban regime.
"The issue lies in fighting for freedom and not engaging in sterile criticism. The point is to push together to overthrow tyranny and build a new, free, and prosperous Cuba," he expressed.
The opposition leader concluded with a direct warning: "Those who divide, who discourage, who do not focus on what is important, feed tyranny, not the people rising up both inside and outside."
Yomil's statements
Ferrer's words respond to a series of posts made by Yomil Hidalgo in his Instagram stories, where he spoke extensively about the political situation in Cuba amid the protests that have been ongoing for ten consecutive days in various areas of the country.
The reggaeton artist, who resides on the island and emphasized this fact in his messages, strongly criticized some Cubans who express opinions about the reality of the country from abroad.
"99% of those who are speaking now from there never did anything when they were in Cuba," he wrote, adding that many "went to marches, to CDR guards, were the most prominent, and were part of the communist organizations."
He also questioned those who, as he said, "live off politics" and issued a challenge to those who claim to want to help Cuba from outside the country.
"Come on, get a ticket and come to the party to see if I can catch you putting on the same face you do on social media," she expressed.
Recognition of political prisoners
In his messages, Yomil also expressed respect for figures of activism on the island, such as Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel "Osorbo" Castillo, whom he described as individuals who have shown bravery.
"The saddest thing is that no one remembers those who truly have my respect because they have demonstrated it with tremendous dignity," he pointed out in reference to artists and other political prisoners.
The singer also explained that he decided to step back from public activism a few years ago after feeling disillusioned, although he defended his choice to remain in Cuba.
"I do not live in the yuma. All of us who live in Cuba truly face the heat day by day," he stated.
Protests over the energy crisis
The artist's statements come amid a new wave of protests on the island, sparked by the collapse of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant on March 5, which left nearly 68% of the country without electricity.
Protests have been reported in Havana, Morón, Santiago de Cuba, Mayarí, and other locations, reflecting the growing public discontent over the energy crisis and the difficult economic situation.
Yomil is not unfamiliar with political controversy. The reggaeton artist participated in the protests on July 11, 2021, was briefly arrested, and released a video of his detention denouncing police repression.
In April 2025, he also faced criticism for participating in a debate organized by the Ministry of Culture of Cuba, which some interpreted as a contradiction of his previous positions.
The artist concluded his recent messages with a phrase that summarizes his stance: "If you are democrats, you must also respect the opinions, because if not, then you are the true communists."
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