Cuban TV host Edith Massola has come under heavy fire on social media for her silence following the death of her cousin, actor Carlos Massola. The independent outlet La Tijera highlighted a screenshot from the artist's Instagram account on Wednesday, the very day Carlos Massola passed away at home at the age of 62.
"Edith Massola showed indifference and disdain when, instead of posting a note of affection and respect for his passing, she was more concerned about the musician Maykel Blanco's lost wallet, which she posted about with the prayer hands emoji," La Tijera reported.
On that day and the following ones, the 23 y M host has been sharing photos and videos from Spain on her Instagram, where she appears happy while recording her show with choreographer and director Liz Alfonso.
Many on Facebook have criticized her perceived lack of sensitivity for not posting a condolence message about her cousin's sudden death, despite any political or familial differences they might have had.
"The problem is that her cousin didn't have dollars; if he had been wealthy, she would've been in mourning by his side," remarked one man.
"Differences in ideas are one thing, but blood ties are unbreakable, and besides being family, he was a human being," said an elderly woman.
"She should have paused her schedule; almost all Cubans and artists did. They took a few minutes to pay respect and express their feelings for the deceased actor. Her attitude only shows her lack of empathy and feelings, not just as family but also as part of the artistic community of her generation," noted a doctor.
"This shows her lack of principles and human values; she's more worried about a wallet—how disgusting," added another woman.
"Political differences should be set aside in this case, but some people politicize even family relationships, which becomes evident in situations like this," emphasized a man.
"Families aren't perfect; there's always some imbalance, but that's what forgiveness and reconciliation are for. The person who can't forgive will never have a clear conscience or peace in their soul and heart," concluded a mother.
Last October, Carlos Massola revealed in an interview with an independent outlet that he was estranged from his cousin, the regime's star presenter, Edith Massola.
"She doesn't care about me. I call her cell, and she doesn't answer. And I love her; she's my first cousin, but she wants nothing to do with me," the actor told CubaNet.
At that time, the actor speculated that she might be afraid to talk to him due to his political stance. "It seems she's scared. She's scared of making contact with me," he noted.
In recent years, Carlos Massola was censored by the regime for his outspoken opinions about Cuba's situation, where he openly called for a change in the system, the release of political prisoners, and the resignation of leaders.
In stark contrast, his cousin enjoys being a figurehead for the regime, serving as the host for its events and working closely with Lis Cuesta Peraza.
Edith Massola and Carlos Massola: Family Ties Amidst Political Tensions
This section addresses common questions and concerns about the recent controversy involving Edith and Carlos Massola, focusing on the political and familial dynamics at play.
Why is Edith Massola being criticized?
Edith Massola is facing backlash for not publicly acknowledging her cousin Carlos Massola's death, instead posting about unrelated matters on social media.
What were Carlos Massola's political views?
Carlos Massola was an outspoken critic of the Cuban regime, calling for systemic changes, the release of political prisoners, and the resignation of current leaders.
How did Edith Massola respond to her cousin's death?
Edith Massola did not publicly respond to her cousin's death, leading to criticism that she was indifferent or insensitive to his passing.
What was Carlos Massola's relationship with Edith Massola?
Carlos Massola revealed that he was estranged from Edith Massola, suggesting that her fear of his political stance might have contributed to their distance.