The Cuban Music Institute (ICM) has expressed its sorrow over the passing of reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, widely known as El Taiger. He passed away on Thursday at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami after being critically wounded by a gunshot to the head on October 3rd.
In a heartfelt post on their Facebook page, the ICM extended "deep condolences" to the singer’s family, friends, and fans. "We bid farewell to one of the most prominent figures in urban music, who always held onto his Cuban identity and consistently expressed love for his country," the statement read.
The 36-year-old artist was officially declared deceased on Thursday. A message on his Instagram page remarked, "He is now reunited with his beloved mother in heaven."
Support from Cuban Institutions
The institute mirrored the sentiments of former Culture Minister Abel Prieto, now president of Casa de Las Américas, who had previously wished for El Taiger's recovery, emphasizing that "he never renounced his nationality or his love for Cuba."
In an official note, the ICM stated that "Cuban institutions continuously monitored his health and provided assistance to his closest family members with the consular process for a humanitarian visa request at the United States embassy in Havana."
Delayed Response and Public Reaction
Last Saturday, the ICM issued a delayed official statement regarding the attack El Taiger suffered in Miami. Despite being aware of the incident from the day it occurred, the institute waited over 48 hours to describe it as a "regrettable event," a delay that sparked disbelief among some online users.
Furthermore, official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso briefly addressed the situation on his Facebook, expressing hopes for the singer's recovery. "The wish for El Taiger to live is shared by thousands of Cubans both within and outside Cuba, and it is mine as well. Life above all, and respect for his family," he wrote.
In a brief article on Saturday, the Trabajadores newspaper, led by director Joel García León, attributed incidents like the one involving El Taiger to the "violent society" in the United States.