The Cuban content creator Leandro René Hernández Ibarra made harsh criticisms of the influencer Samantha Hernández, after the young woman stated that she does not talk about the situation in Cuba because she does not have enough knowledge and because she does not want to be like others who -in her opinion- use the topic to make money online.
In a video posted on Instagram, Leandro directly responded to the influencer and challenged what he considers a misleading narrative about those who report on the political situation in the Island.
The young man pointed out that if Samantha claims she doesn't know enough about the situation in Cuba to speak on the subject, that is a respectable personal decision. The problem arises when the influencer suggests that many talk about politics because it generates income for them.
"Sammy, what you're saying is completely false and you know it," the activist pointed out.
"Talking about Cuba doesn't bring in money."
During the video, Hernández Ibarra rejected the idea that criticizing the Cuban regime is a profitable activity.
That statement, he said, aligns with a narrative that the regime has repeated for years to discredit journalists, activists, and citizens who report abuses or demand freedoms.
"According to that logic, anyone who talks about freedom does it for money," he stated.
The activist also issued a public challenge to Cuban influencers.
He proposed that those who claim that discussing politics generates income publish how much money they actually earn on social media and compare it with those who produce critical content about Cuba.
In that context, he mentioned Anna Bensi, whom he described as one of the bravest young women in the country.
According to his explanation, Benzi has a much smaller audience than many entertainment influencers, despite addressing political and social issues.
"Sadly, we live in a society that values a rear end more than a neuron. And that serves as a thermometer measuring the real-time temperature of our people. It gives us the insight to understand many times why we are the way we are," he stated.
The cost of speaking out against the regime
Hernández Ibarra, who resides in Peru, also shared a personal experience to support his argument.
He mentioned that when he began creating content on TikTok in that country, his account started to grow rapidly with a local audience, thanks to his videos about his activities as a surfer.
That type of content opened commercial doors for him. He even received a collaboration proposal from a record label connected to urban music projects, which aimed to promote Cuban artists among the Peruvian audience.
But he rejected their offer because he did not want to get involved with projects related to structures close to the Cuban regime. "And that also constantly collaborate with agencies of Cuban front men. Like 'La familia cubana,'" he added.
The creator, who collaborates with the digital medium CiberCuba, concluded that discussing the political reality of Cuba openly often closes commercial doors, as many brands shy away from any content that may generate political controversy.
"Big brands do not want to work with influencers who are very outspoken against regimes like the Cuban one. Because today what is in fashion is being progressive, the woke culture, apathy, and disinterest. Everything else is out of style. And companies don’t want uncomfortable influencers in their campaigns," he stated.
The silence of the influencers
In his intervention, Hernández Ibarra also questioned the stance of some famous Cubans who claim to remain aloof from politics.
In their view, even those who claim not to speak about politics end up indirectly participating in it when they promote businesses, hotels, or companies linked to the regime's economic apparatus.
"Many say they don't get involved in politics, but they do, just selectively," he stated.
The young man insisted that public figures with large audiences should at least acknowledge the reality that the country is facing. It is not necessary to turn their platforms into spaces for political debate, but they should avoid glossing over the situation or ignoring it.
"In any country in the world, during difficult times, political crises, or even something as simple as an election, the population demands that their public figures speak out. And not to turn their statements into political content, but simply to be consistent with the situation their country is experiencing," he recalled.
The origin of the controversy
The controversy arose after Samantha Hernández posted a video in which she openly acknowledged that there is a serious economic and social crisis in Cuba.
In that message, the influencer admitted that there are blackouts on the Island, food shortages, lack of water and medications, and even claimed that those who criticize the system may face consequences.
"It's obvious that I know there is a dictatorship in Cuba", she said in that recording.
However, he explained that he prefers not to comment on politics because he feels he does not have enough information to do so, and he fears that his words may be taken out of context on social media.
The young woman also expressed that she does not wish to participate in what she described as a "circus" of controversies on the Internet.
Another of his statements that generated debate was his opinion that the impact of social media on reality within Cuba is limited.
"The world already knows what is happening with Cuba. I’m not going to change anything from a phone," he commented.
A debate that divides the Cuban community
The statements by Hernández and the response from Hernández Ibarra reflect an increasingly prominent debate within the Cuban community on social media.
On one hand, many users believe that those with large digital audiences also bear a moral responsibility to highlight the political, economic, and social crisis in the country.
For them, the silence of certain public figures contrasts with the risk taken by citizens on the Island who speak out against abuses, scarcity, or repression despite the possible consequences.
Other internet users, on the other hand, argue that each content creator has the right to choose which topics to address on their platforms and that no one should be forced to make their content political.
The controversy, far from dying down, continues to grow on social media, where thousands of users keep debating whether Cuban influencers should speak out about the situation in the country.
Filed under: