The Cuban singer Albita Rodríguez, who led an unprecedented escape from the Cuban dictatorship with her entire band in 1993, revealed she was close to abandoning her art but eventually found success in the United States. After living in Colombia for three years and eight months, where she achieved stardom, the singer was forced to return to Cuba, as she disclosed in an interview on the program "Se dice de mí" by Noticias Caracol, published this Saturday on YouTube.
However, the disappointment of facing the regime was so overwhelming that she decided to emigrate to the United States along with her entire band. Rodríguez defied the Cuban government and emigrated from Ciudad Juárez, in Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, USA.
"Everyone wanted to leave. With the money we had saved, we managed to reach Mexico. We were there for a day, but we were warned that people were being sent back," confessed the artist, who also noted that being both Cuban and Colombian, they faced a double risk of being stopped from crossing.
Upon crossing the border, Rodríguez was certain she would never sing again. "My obsession, my goal, was to get my family out of Cuba, especially the little girl, I wanted her to have a different life opportunity, and to support my family. I kept telling myself, 'I have to work at whatever pays so I can make it happen,'" shared the singer. This dream echoed the shared desire of many Cuban emigrants: to facilitate the escape of their loved ones from the island prison.
However, her family also mustered the courage and managed to escape the government's grip. After a long and harrowing journey by boat, and being lost at sea, they finally reunited.
Now with her loved ones in the United States, the Cuban artist faced the challenge of succeeding on North American stages, as her stardom in Colombia did not guarantee success. Rodríguez admitted that thanks to Emilio Estefan, she was able to sign a contract with Sony. She also landed her own show, which won the prestigious Emmy award.
Despite decades in exile, the singer has often expressed her love for her homeland and its music. However, she has also stated that she has no plans to return, as it would be a betrayal to herself given that the political reality has seen no significant changes.
Her stance was made clear a few years ago when she demanded the release of independent artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who was arbitrarily imprisoned by the regime on the island.
Albita Rodríguez and the Struggle Against Cuba's Regime
Here are some frequently asked questions about Albita Rodríguez's escape from Cuba and her subsequent success in the United States.
How did Albita Rodríguez manage to escape from Cuba?
Albita Rodríguez and her band saved money and traveled to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. From there, they crossed into El Paso, Texas, USA, despite the risks of being sent back.
What challenges did Albita Rodríguez face after emigrating to the United States?
Rodríguez faced the challenge of succeeding in the North American music industry, despite her previous stardom in Colombia. She eventually signed a contract with Sony and won an Emmy award for her show.
Why does Albita Rodríguez have no plans to return to Cuba?
Rodríguez believes that returning to Cuba would be a betrayal to herself, as the political situation has not seen significant changes. She has also been vocal about her opposition to the regime.