The Cuban Youth Communist League (UJC) has issued a statement regarding the passing of reggaeton artist José Manuel Carvajal Zaldívar, known as El Taiger. He was in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the head on October 3rd in Miami. The organization simply stated, "Rest in peace, Cuban," following the news of his death.
At 36 years old, El Taiger was pronounced dead on Thursday at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he had been hospitalized for a week. An official statement on the artist's Instagram account noted, "He is now reunited with his beloved mother in heaven." His cousin, Jorge Junior, director of Los Cuatro, confirmed the time of death as 12:40 pm.
The UJC's message sparked disbelief among some online users, surprised by the public response from a group supposedly representing young communists in Cuba, especially given El Taiger's vocal opposition to the regime. A Cuban living in Florida sarcastically remarked, "Let's hope Lis Cuesta organizes a tribute to El Taiger in Cuba."
A worker from the Higher Institute of Art expressed confusion, "Even the UJC?! I don't understand what's going on with you..." Meanwhile, a supporter of the regime criticized, "What's the significance of being Cuban? This is outrageous. He was a huge dissident. We're heading in the wrong direction...!" Another comment questioned, "He wished for military intervention in Cuba, insulted Fidel, Raúl, and the President, but that was all forgiven for standing up to Otaola."
Government Institutions Express Sorrow
The UJC is not the only government entity expressing sorrow over El Taiger's tragic end. The Cuban Institute of Music (ICM) extended its "heartfelt condolences" to the artist's family, friends, and fans, describing him as "one of the most recognized figures in urban music." The organization highlighted, "He never renounced his Cuban identity and always showed love for his country."
Cuban institutions reportedly monitored El Taiger's health closely and supported his immediate family in obtaining a humanitarian visa from the U.S. Embassy in Havana.