Frank Abel, a well-known face on Cuban television, broke down in tears during an interview in Miami when asked about his mother, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Cuba for embezzlement.
"It was terrible because my family completely fell apart; it was very unjust," the broadcaster confessed tearfully to the hosts of the podcast "Destino Tolk".
"They gave her 10 years in prison; my mom was 60," he said, visibly shaken as he recalled the moment.
Fernan, one of the hosts, mentioned that someone had referred to the matter in a harsh manner, saying, "They said your mom went to jail, accused of being a scammer and a thief."
"That must be Alexander Otaola, a disgusting person who said that atrocity. Poor thing. We are very humble. If I show you pictures of my house right now, you would say, 'Damn, Frank Abel.' We only just got a plasma TV; at that time, we had one of those panda TVs the Cuban government gave out," he added.
"My mom is not a scammer; she made a mistake. In Cuba, embezzlement, as they call it, has a subjective part and a tangible part. They could never prove anything against her," Frank Abel assured.
In January 2022, the broadcaster left an artistic tour and sought political asylum in the United States, asserting that even professionals go hungry in Cuba. His decision to leave the island was primarily due to the dire economic situation he was facing, but he had to do so by breaking a work commitment, for which he publicly apologized.
In an interview with Julita Osendi, Frank Abel said that in more than 20 years dedicated to his career in Cuba, he was never able to own a home, and many times he couldn't even afford to eat decently.
Insights on Frank Abel's Emotional Interview
Following Frank Abel's emotional interview, many questions have surfaced regarding his mother's imprisonment and his life in Cuba. Here are some key questions and answers related to the situation.
Why was Frank Abel's mother sentenced to 10 years in prison?
Frank Abel's mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzlement, although he claims the charges were unjust and not proven.
What led Frank Abel to seek political asylum in the United States?
Frank Abel sought political asylum in the United States due to the harsh economic conditions in Cuba, which made it difficult for him to survive despite his professional career.
How did Frank Abel describe his family's financial situation in Cuba?
Frank Abel described his family as very humble, struggling with basic needs such as having a decent television and often not having enough to eat.