The Ministry of the Interior (MININT) has expressed its condolences over the death of Cuban actress Corina Mestre, a staunch supporter of the Castro regime who passed away on Saturday at the age of 69.
The ministry shared a photo on its Twitter account of Corina receiving a picture of Fidel Castro from former Minister of Culture Abel Prieto, accompanied by a message honoring her as a "fidelista, revolutionary, Martian, patriot," and "defender of Cuban culture."
"Always faithful to MININT, of which she was a part and in which she will live forever in the hearts of her brothers and sisters. Corina forever," read the tweet.
Corina Mestre became involved with MININT at a very young age, as she recounted in a 2010 interview with the official Cuban radio website.
"I joined the Ministry of the Interior at the age of 14, and while there, in 1972, I founded the amateur festivals within MININT. I worked there until 1980, and by that time I had many offers... but due to my work, I couldn't take them until I requested to leave, which I had been doing since 1978," she said at the time.
Corina Mestre had an extensive and fruitful career in theater, radio, film, and television, and she also taught at the National School of Art (ENA). Alongside her distinguished acting career, she was a staunch supporter of the government and actively participated in political events organized by the Party and the Government.
The Cuban leader Díaz-Canel himself mourned her passing, calling her a "faithful friend, collaborator, teacher, and patriot" in a Twitter post.
In May 2023, the actress labeled activists and Cuban dissidents who confronted the officialist duo Buena Fe during their tour in Spain as "barbarians."
A year earlier, she signed a letter from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) denying government repression following mass protests in Havana and other provinces against power outages.
In 2021, in response to the 15N march, Mestre asserted that "socialism in Cuba is irrevocable" and that such demonstrations could not be tolerated. She defended the Castro regime in a video, stating that the Cuban Constitution establishes the irreversible nature of socialism in the country and that the entire population supports this political option.
Questions about Corina Mestre and Her Legacy
To provide a deeper understanding of Corina Mestre's life and her impact on Cuban society, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Who was Corina Mestre?
Corina Mestre was a renowned Cuban actress known for her extensive career in theater, radio, film, and television. She was also a teacher at the National School of Art and a staunch supporter of the Cuban government.
What was Corina Mestre's involvement with MININT?
Corina Mestre joined the Ministry of the Interior at the age of 14 and founded the amateur festivals within MININT in 1972. She worked there until 1980.
How did Corina Mestre support the Cuban government?
Corina Mestre actively participated in political events organized by the Party and the Government, defended the Castro regime in public statements and videos, and signed letters supporting the government during times of political unrest.