Former Cuban Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto Jiménez, who currently serves as the president of Casa de Las Américas, extended heartfelt wishes for the recovery of reggaeton artist El Taiger. The musician is in a Miami hospital fighting for his life after being shot in the head on Thursday, October 3rd. "All Cubans hope for his recovery," Prieto Jiménez emphasized in a post on X, where he shared a news release from the Cuban Institute of Music (ICM).
Prieto also pointed out that El Taiger "has not given up his nationality or his love for Cuba." Back in 2019, the controversial reggaeton star posted a photo on Facebook, posing alongside Abel Prieto. The image features the Cuban politician and writer with his hand on El Taiger's shoulder, both smiling for the camera. The photo quickly sparked backlash from the artist's followers, who labeled him a "communist," prompting El Taiger to clarify the circumstances of the picture.
El Taiger explained to Alexander Otaola during a program appearance that the encounter was purely coincidental. He was working on a book project with a Canadian writer when they passed by the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC). Prieto was outside talking to a group of young people, one of whom recognized him. The writer then asked El Taiger to pose for a picture with the former minister for her book.
Mixed Reactions from Cuban Officials
In recent days, various Cuban officials have reacted to the reggaeton artist's health status. El Taiger remains in stable condition, though his life is still at risk, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The official newspaper Trabajadores, in an article by its director Joel García León, described El Taiger as a victim of "a violent society like the United States," but stressed that a human life transcends any social judgment or musical preferences.
The ICM waited over 48 hours before labeling the incident as an "unfortunate event." They also stated that, alongside the Musicalia Agency of Artex, they are "continuously monitoring the artist's health, which remains critical with a guarded prognosis." They added, "In the coming days, we will continue to provide updates on this sensitive matter. We wish the young musician a speedy recovery, as he has not forsaken his nationality or his love for Cuba."
Support from Cuban Communities
Lis Cuesta Pedraza, wife of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and a Culture Ministry official, also joined the chorus of support, writing, "In various cities in Cuba and Miami, people are holding vigils for El Taiger, a popular urban artist both here and there, who was the victim of a violent crime in South Florida."
The investigation into the shooting incident involving the Cuban reggaeton artist is still ongoing. Meanwhile, over the weekend, hundreds of Cubans gathered in prayer chains for El Taiger's recovery, lighting white candles and listening to his music.