On Saturday night, streets in Guantánamo were filled with hundreds rallying in support of El Taiger, who remains in critical condition after being shot in the head last Thursday. A video shared by the Facebook page "Cuba actu" captured the scene, showing a crowd, largely composed of young people, marching down an avenue while singing.
The gathering sparked controversy. While some praise the gesture, others criticize the lack of protests against issues like food scarcity and power outages. "My comment has nothing to do with that man; as a human, I hope he recovers. But I can't overlook a whole demonstration not aimed at improving life, hunger, blackouts, and abuse. Idolatry is destroying them," commented an elderly woman.
A young man added, "Organize a march against that incapable government that has driven the country into chronic underdevelopment and caused a massive exodus of our youth in search of a better future. I'm truly convinced the Cuban Communist Party has brainwashed Cubans; the country is in blackout, and children and elderly lack food and medicine, yet they don't mobilize to protest."
"Enough with the cheap politics; this parade is for an artist, a musician beloved by Cuba, who is in critical health," expressed a woman from Ciego de Ávila.
"Right now, he's the biggest and most popular artist in Cuba across any genre," asserted a man from Havana.
"If our ancestors, the mambises, saw what they gave their lives for, they would've never raised their machete. Homeland, life, and freedom," another person commented.
"He's an idol; you have an entire country crying for you, wake up, so you can see how Cuba calls for you," pleaded a netizen.
"I'm the first to want him to survive because he's a human being. I hope God intervenes, but it's outrageous how all of Cuba has manifested for him and not for improvement. These same people who deal with sporadic power are not taking to the streets like this. That's why we're in this situation," another person asserted.
"He sowed love and is now reaping love," emphasized a third person.
Nationwide Vigils for El Taiger's Recovery
Cubans across several provinces organized vigils on Saturday night for the recovery of the popular reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal, better known as El Taiger. In Cienfuegos, locals were invited to gather at 8:00 pm in Parque Martí, in front of the church, to pray for the artist's health and to call for the release of political prisoners in Cuba.
In Santiago de Cuba, there was confusion about the specific location for the vigil, with suggestions ranging from Plaza de Marte, Parque Ferreiro, to Alameda.
Meanwhile, in Cárdenas, a vigil was also announced in support of the popular artist.
In Havana, a vigil had already taken place on Friday at the intersection of 23 and Malecón, where dozens gathered to pray for the singer's health. Among the participants was Johayron, known as "Rutina," a child popular on social media, who moved attendees by singing spiritual and Santería songs.