A Cuban grandmother identified as Lina Hernández captured the spotlight on social media with a video in which she boldly parodies the episode involving the AKM rifle of Silvio Rodríguez, declaring herself "the new guardian" ready to defend the business.
In the clip, published on Facebook under the title "Guarapito; guardian with an AK," the elderly woman starts off with all her energy: "I am the new guardian and I’m here to defend the business. Music, maestro," she says before beginning to dance to a reggaeton.
The video accumulated over 7,100 views, becoming one of the most celebrated reactions to the wave of mockery sparked by the episode featuring the 79-year-old troubadour.
Everything began on March 18, when Silvio published on his blog Segunda Cita: "I demand my AKM, if they launch it. And let it be clear that I say this very seriously," in response to statements from President Donald Trump, who labeled Cuba as a "failed nation" and threatened to intervene in the Island.
The regime took the claim literally. On March 20, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) organized an official event where the minister himself, General Álvaro López Miera handed a replica of the AKM rifle to Silvio, in the presence of Miguel Díaz-Canel. The minister himself clarified at the event: This is purely symbolic, while the singer-songwriter smiled and tucked the paper into his pocket.
The public reaction on social media was immediate and predominantly mocking.
Content creator Dean Pablo Hernández Torres proposed on Instagram to provide an AKM in exchange for the ration book and sarcastically added: "If there are 10 million revolutionaries left, give them weapons and the problem will run away by the next day."
The artist Gessliam Suárez, known as Momo, accused Silvio of being an aging buffoon who serves to oxygenate the revolution. Even Sandro Castro, grandson of Fidel Castro, made an ironic jab about a dinosaur with an AK47 who sings.
The humor of grandma Lina Hernández, however, was the one that drew the most affection and laughter from internet users. "Grandma has more courage than all of them put together," wrote one user. "She really knows how to defend the business," commented another.
Many pointed out the irony that an older woman, without any political speech or official microphone, summarized the ridiculousness of the entire saga better than anyone else.
The full episode unfolds as Cuba undergoes a profound crisis characterized by power outages lasting up to 20 hours, food shortages, and widespread deterioration of basic services—a reality that stands in stark contrast to the militaristic rhetoric of those who call for rifles from the comfort of their blogs and official events.
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