Dianik Flores Martínez, the former journalist of the Cuban Television Information System (SITV) and Cubavisión Internacional, made a public call for genuine and inclusive dialogue in Cuba during a interview with Kriss Rojas for the podcast "Que Onda".
In a clip just over a minute long posted on Instagram, Flores was direct: "What our country needs first is dialogue, and it's not about the country's leadership engaging in conversation with a select group of individuals who think alike or similarly to them."
The statement is striking coming from a journalist who has distanced herself from the state media apparatus, but her previous public profile did not reflect open criticism of this nature.
The journalist emphasized that those in power are responsible for all Cubans, not just those aligned with the regime.
"Whoever is leading a country, a ministry, or a specific sector today is directing all Cubans. There are many people proposing various changes in the country that I believe would particularly benefit those who currently do not have social networks and do not have a voice."
The most striking moment of his speech was the explicit reference to people searching for food in the dumpsters of Havana. "That breaks my heart because we have never seen this in our country," he said.
Flores also spoke about his personal decision to remain on the island, despite being dissatisfied with many things that are happening.
"I chose to stay in this country despite all the difficulties. It's where I was born, it's where I grew up, it's where I have taken root." He expressed his hope that his children and grandchildren won't have to emigrate to fulfill themselves: "I want everyone to have their place in Cuba tomorrow".
In another part of the interview, he explained that he left Cuban television because he found too many obstacles to his journalistic work. He decided not to work under those circumstances of constant pressure, censorship, and limitations.
Dianik is connected to a program on Cuban Television called "Espectacular," which airs on Fridays. She has an audiovisual group where she works on independent projects and chooses her own team for them.
Flores closed his remarks with a phrase that encapsulates both his diagnosis of the country and his hope for change in Cuba.
"This country is beautiful. The Cubans are wonderful. We are experiencing a deterioration in all aspects that must be halted immediately," he said.
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