The Dominican comedian Fausto Mata, known as "Boca de Piano," called for freedom for Cuba and expressed his wish to see the island free before he dies.
In a recent video on Facebook, Mata expressed: "I believe that Cuba should have a chance to choose a new system before 100 years of the same system go by, I don't want to die without seeing a Free Cuba. If God exists, I need proof of mercy for the Cuban people and for the regime to allow the people to choose and be chosen."
The actor —famous for portraying the character "Genaro" in the Dominican film series Sanky Panky— offers a reflection on the psychology of dictators that goes beyond politics and delves into the realm of mental health.
"Being a dictator is not a philosophy of life, it is not an ideology, it is a psychopathy, it is a disease," asserts Mata in the video.
The comedian argues that "the only cure for a dictator is life imprisonment or taking their life", because "the disease is incurable, because the disease is mental."
Mata compares dictators to psychopaths like the serial killer Ted Bundy, noting that both use "charm, dialogue, and persuasive power to reach their victims," with the key difference being that the victims of a dictator are entire nations.
It also criticizes the rhetorical use of words like "the empire" and "the blockade" as tools to evade responsibilities.
"It is never the dictator's fault what happens to him. And if he is not going to remain in power, he appoints a relative, a friend, or a brother-in-law, often another military figure, because the most dangerous dictators in the world generally have a tendency towards military backgrounds."
The video concludes with a striking statement: "Hey, how tough and dangerous is a psychopathic dictator? And if he's a communist, even more so, because they are the worst."
The statements represent a significant shift in Mata's public discourse regarding Cuba. In November 2024, the comedian had maintained a non-political profile, stating that he did not get involved in those issues and only expressing his affection for the Cuban people, after visiting the island through a non-profit organization and being received with a fervor that deeply surprised him.
It was precisely that visit that forged the emotional bond between Mata and the Cubans: the film Sanky Panky had arrived on the island informally, in CD copies, and reached massive popularity without official channels.
His co-star Tony Pascual, who plays "Chelo," summarized that phenomenon with a phrase that became famous: "Puerto Rico loves us, but Cuba idolizes us."
Mata's statements add to a growing tide of voices from the Latin American entertainment industry that have called for a political transition in Cuba, at a time when international pressure on the regime is intensifying and figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio have conditioned any lifting of sanctions on a change of system on the island.
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