The Cuban singer Lucrecia expressed this Wednesday her belief that Cuba will rise again after decades of dictatorship, in an interview aired on the same day that the federal indictment of Raúl Castro by U.S. authorities was made public.
"We are in the ashes here in Cuba. And I have faith that Cuba will once again be the pearl of the Caribbean," declared the artist, who has been living in Spain since 1993, in a conversation with journalist Tania Costa.
Lucrecia was straightforward in describing the current state of the island, but she left no room for pessimism: "I believe that once this is all over, Cuba will be reborn like a phoenix and will be marvelous."
The artist based that hope on the journey of Cubans in exile as proof of what the people can achieve when they have the freedom to undertake: "All Cubans, when we leave, also, thank God, with determination and a lot of perseverance, we succeed. So, from Cuba it will be possible, and even better, because we will be in our own country."
Regarding the role of digital platforms in the dissemination of news about the indictment, Lucrecia emphasized its importance: "What matters is that it has been made public and the world is aware. Thanks to the immediacy of digital platforms, the world knows what is happening."
In response to the question of whether she would return to Cuba when freedom arrives, the singer answered cautiously yet affectionately towards her fellow countrymen: "I am really here, and I don’t know, we shall see, but I want the best for all my Cubans, wherever they may be."
The interviewer also asked him if the indictment could lead Raúl Castro to seek refuge abroad, as former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro did when he fled to Russia after losing power. Lucrecia responded without hesitation: "They should have taken that step a long time ago, but I suppose it's just that there are so many ties and the comforts and everything he has had."
The conversation took place on May 20, Republic of Cuba Day, the same day it was publicly announced that a grand jury from the Southern District of Florida charged Raúl Castro for the downing of two planes from Brothers to the Rescue on February 24, 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four Cuban Americans.
Lucrecia is well aware of the significance of that historical episode: she was banned in Cuba precisely for composing the soundtrack of the documentary Balseros (2002), which portrayed the migratory crisis of Cuban balseros and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2003.
The accusation against Castro, approved on April 23, 2026, includes charges of homicide, destruction of civilian aircraft, and conspiracy to kill American citizens. Alongside the former dictator, who is 94 years old, five other Cuban military personnel were also charged.
"You will have to face everything that comes your way at this moment, be judged, and in the place where you are, in the United States. Surely it will happen. We must have faith," concluded Lucrecia.
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