Cuban comedian Andy Vázquez took to Facebook Live to address criticism from regime supporters, often referred to as "clarias," after he reposted a 2019 photo showing two bottles of oil purchased in a store on Vento and Camagüey. It seems that regime-aligned internet users believed Vázquez was flaunting products bought in Miami, where he has resided for several years.
In a forceful response, Vázquez used images from social media accounts of Cuban leaders and their families to demonstrate who he believes is truly mocking the Cuban people. "I want to clarify something for the clarias who monitor me," he began. "As I said, I'm just minding my own business, at home with my family, and yesterday I posted this: 'Monta que te quedas.' This is in a store with half-empty shelves, a market clearly in Cuba, in Boyeros and Camagüey, in 2019."
The image showed empty spaces between the oil bottles, and Vázquez clarified to his audience that this could not be Miami: "Unless there's a hurricane, the shelves here rarely go empty." According to Vázquez, once he posted the image, "all the clarias, who have been ordered to attack me, started: 'You're mocking the Cuban people.'"
"Look, you need to talk to the bosses who give you your rations and tell them to change their approach. It can't be that 300 clarias, with their peacock, palm, tocororo, and hummingbird profiles, start telling me the same thing: 'You're mocking the Cuban people.' To all of you, I say: The ones mocking the Cuban people are your leaders. When they visit your neighborhood, you shout 'Canel, pa’ lo que sea!' without having any oil at home, while he goes back to his house and continues buying thousand-dollar watches and handbags for his wife."
Vázquez reminded his audience that the only thing he and his followers do for the humble people in Cuba is to help: "We bought a house for a lady; we filled a woman's fridge with food; we've done countless things that I don't post on social media. Right now, we're helping a young boy with severe leg issues get surgery in Spain; those are the things I do for the Cuban people, not mock them."
The comedian pointed out that if his intention were to flaunt, he could show Spanish chorizos, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, Iberian ham, milk—"which Raúl promised a glass of and has been taken away from children"—but not a bottle of oil.
He then began showing images of those who he claims are genuinely mocking the Cuban people. "Look at Mariela Castro eating a lobster, something you've never seen, claria, nor has the Cuban people. There's Tony Castro, enjoying his lavish parties, with his food, beer, fish, in his mansions. There's Fifín (Fidel Castro), grilling lobsters you'll never see. There's the son of Manuel Marrero (the prime minister), who wanted to come to the U.S. but was denied, traveling in a private jet you pay for with your work, and they enjoy it."
Other photos show Sandro Castro, Fidel Castro's grandson, boasting about his Mercedes Benz; another grandson of the dictator touring Europe and sailing on a yacht; Tony Castro enjoying time in Turkey with friends. "All those photos are out there. They publish them. You might say: 'It's a lie.' Go to Sandro Castro's profile right now; I just downloaded the photo of him making paella during the pandemic, diving in Varadero, and in Cancun, wearing an imperialist suit (a Batman suit) at his parties."
There's even a photo of Sandro's girlfriend's cat: "There's the cat drinking yogurt in the morning, from a little bottle, from the shopping center," and others of President Díaz-Canel: at a dinner, wearing Levi’s jeans—"he loves American brands"—with a $1,750 watch, and his wife's handbags—each costing $6,000, $7,000, or $10,000.
"These are the ones mocking you, claria," Vázquez concluded. "I'm not the one mocking the Cuban people; it's those who are directing you."
Andy Vázquez's Critique of the Cuban Regime
In his Facebook Live, Andy Vázquez addressed several key points about the current situation in Cuba and the role of the regime in the hardships faced by the Cuban people. Here are some commonly asked questions related to his statements:
What prompted Andy Vázquez to address the regime supporters?
Andy Vázquez responded to criticism from regime supporters after reposting a 2019 photo showing two bottles of oil, which was mistaken as a display of products bought in Miami.
What did Vázquez reveal about Cuban leaders and their families?
Vázquez showcased images from social media accounts of Cuban leaders and their families, highlighting their luxurious lifestyles, which he claims mock the Cuban people.
How does Vázquez help the Cuban people?
Vázquez and his followers have helped by buying houses for needy individuals, filling fridges with food, and assisting with medical expenses, among other acts of kindness.