The Cuban influencer and comedian José Ernesto González, known on social media as Carnota, sent a direct message to the youth of the Island, urging them to lose their fear and to defend their right to think and express themselves freely: "Dreaming of a free, prosperous Cuba full of opportunities is not a crime, it's a right."
Through a video published on Instagram, Carnota discussed the fear that, as he explained, defines an entire generation of Cubans.
"I know that many are afraid. Afraid to speak, afraid to express their opinions, afraid to say what they really feel," he stated, noting that this silence is not coincidental, but rather the result of years of pressure and control.
The message, filled with emotional and political tone, aims to break that cycle. "Your voice matters too," he insisted, while reminding that millions of Cubans inside and outside the country share the same desire for change.
A video that connects the past and the present
The audiovisual material begins with images of Carnota himself during the protests on July 11, 2021, in Cuba, when he announced his intention to join demonstrations in Havana.
That day, considered a turning point in Cuba's recent history, resulted in hundreds of arrests and profoundly impacted a generation.
In his current message, the influencer acknowledges that remembering that moment does not bring him pride, but rather sadness. He explains that many of those who took to the streets are still imprisoned, especially young people, while the situation in the country continues to worsen.
The video also intersperses images of arrests during those protests, reinforcing the idea of a country where expressing dissent can have severe consequences.
A complaint about the present in the Island
Carnota also described the current situation faced by Cubans within the country: prolonged blackouts, shortages of food and fuel, and increasingly difficult living conditions.
"It is truly deplorable," he said, referring to the power outages that leave entire families unable to preserve food or maintain a stable daily life.
Despite this outlook, the influencer insisted that change is possible and that it's closer than many believe. "I know we are getting closer every day, and Cuba will be free," he stated.
A message directed to the youth
The focus of his intervention was a direct call to young Cubans.
Carnota emphasized that fear is understandable, but it should not paralyze. "It is the result of years of pressure, of years of indoctrinating you and teaching you that the best way is to remain silent," he explained.
In light of that, he proposed a clear idea: they are not alone.
"Many people think like you, both inside and outside the Island," he affirmed, highlighting that there is a large community that shares the desire for a different future.
For him, the new generation deserves opportunities, freedom, and the chance to shape their own destiny without constraints. "They deserve to break out of that bubble," he said, referring to the isolation and limitations that, in his view, the system imposes.
From Protests to Exile
The voice of Carnota takes on a particular weight due to its own history. One year after the protests of July 11, he left Cuba amidst an unprecedented migratory wave.
In June 2022, he arrived in the United States after a journey that included a stop in Mexico, where he shared details of his departure from the island with his followers.
His farewell was marked by emotion and uncertainty. At that moment, he expressed the pain of leaving behind his country, his family, and an important part of his life.
Since then, he has continued his career on social media, where he has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and uses his platform not only for humor but also to express his views on the Cuban reality.
A voice that insists on change
The recent message confirms an evolution in his discourse: from a creator of humorous content to a figure who also articulates a political and social narrative.
His final call encapsulates that transformation: to defend the freedom to think, speak, and dream.
"Let no one make you feel that asking for a better future is wrong," she expressed.
In a context where many young people face the dilemma of silence or emigration, their words seek to provide a third way: the path of expression without fear.
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