The Cuban-American actor Andy García lent his voice and his pen to "Let Them Go", a new song for freedom in Cuba that was released this Friday in collaboration with Cuban singer San Miguel Pérez.
The announcement came last Monday via an Instagram reel from San Miguel Pérez, where it was confirmed that the song was written by both artists and produced by San Miguel Pérez along with producer Jake Carmona.
The shared excerpt begins with an affectionate evocation of the island: "Water, sweet water, my beautiful Cuba, my lovely Cuba."
Then the political message comes across clearly: "Get your suitcase ready and buy your ticket now, this is almost over, everyone here knows it. Tell your neighbors, the black woman and the redhead, inform your grandfather who sells little crafts."
The title of the song directly refers to the classic by Willy Chirino, which in September 2021 was re-released as "Que se vayan ya" alongside Lenier, El Micha, El Chacal, Osmani García, and Srta. Dayana, becoming one of the anthems of the movement for the freedom of Cuba following the protests on July 11 of that year.
Before this topic, "Patria y Vida" —released in February 2021 by Yotuel, Gente de Zona, Descemer Bueno, El Funky, and Maykel Osorbo— had become the anthem of the 11J protests and won two Latin Grammys that same year: Song of the Year and Best Urban Song.
Andy García's involvement in this new project is neither coincidental nor isolated. The actor, born in Regla, Havana, on April 12, 1956, and exiled in Miami since 1961 when he was five years old, has maintained sustained activism against the Cuban dictatorship for decades.
In November 2021, he publicly supported the Civic March for Change on November 15 along with musician Arturo Sandoval. In October 2022, he stated unequivocally: Long live a Free Cuba! How long will the abuses continue!.
In February 2023, he participated in the album "José Martí, Versos de Cuba, Canciones de Libertad", where he performed the song "La Cuba mía," joining a long list of exiled artists who have used music as a tool for political protest against the regime.
His connection to music is not new either: in 2005 he won a Grammy and a Latin Grammy as the producer of the album "¡Ahora Sí!" by the legendary Cachao, which shows that his involvement in Cuban musical projects has deep roots.
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