The Cuban singer Lucrecia (Pérez Sáez) reacted this Wednesday with emotion and hope to the indictment of Raúl Castro by the U.S. justice system, summarizing the historic moment with a phrase: "Everything takes its place, because, moreover, it is the day of the Republic, which was also attempted to be annulled at one point."
The United States Department of Justice declassified a substitute indictment against Raúl Castro, aged 94, on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the downing of two civilian aircraft belonging to the organization Hermanos al Rescate on February 24, 1996. The charges include conspiracy to assassinate U.S. citizens, destruction of civilian aircraft, and four counts of homicide for the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, whose bodies were never recovered.
In a live interview with Tania Costa, Lucrecia emphasized the symbolic significance of the date, as the accusation was made public precisely on this Cuban Independence Day, the anniversary of the Republic of 1902.
"So much has happened in Cuba, and continues to happen, and this moment of recognition has arrived for those brave individuals who rescued many Cubans who left and risked their lives to cross the sea, and unjustly their lives were cut short," declared the artist.
Lucrecia, who was banned in Cuba for composing the soundtrack of the documentary "Balseros," which precisely depicted the tragedy of those fleeing on rafts during that time.
Regarding the future of the judicial process, the artist was steadfast. "Well, what has to happen will happen. She will have to face everything that is happening right now, be tried, and in the place where it is, in the United States. I'm sure it will happen. We must have faith."
The absence of an extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States limits the immediate practical effect of the charges, something that Lucrecia recognized with pragmatism: "Everything is very slow, but the important thing is that it has come to light and the world has learned about it. Thanks to the immediacy of digital platforms, the world knows what is happening."
Meanwhile, the regime responded with its usual stance: Díaz-Canel defended Raúl Castro after the accusation became known, and Havana labeled the Brothers to the Rescue case as a "hoax."
Lucrecia concluded her speech with a vision for the future that blends accumulated pain with hope: "We are in the ashes here in Cuba. And I have faith that Cuba will once again be the pearl of the Caribbean. I believe that after all of this passes, Cuba will be reborn like a phoenix and will be wonderful."
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