The romance between Cuban actress Ana de Armas and Manuel Alejandro Anido Cuesta, son of Lis Cuesta and stepson of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, has sparked a wave of backlash on social media. The criticism has been particularly directed at luxury brands Louis Vuitton and Estée Lauder, for whom the actress serves as an ambassador.
Since images and details of De Armas's relationship with Anido Cuesta surfaced, reactions have been swift and intense. Social media users have taken to the Instagram pages of these fashion and beauty giants to voice their displeasure, accusing the brands of indirectly supporting the Cuban regime through their association with the actress.
Social Media Backlash Against Luxury Brands
On Louis Vuitton's profile, numerous comments express strong disapproval of the brand's alliance with De Armas. Some users wrote:
- "This brand is tainted with the blood of the dictatorship, complicit."
- "You are also supporting the Cuban dictatorship."
The controversy extends to Estée Lauder as well, where boycott and criticism messages are plentiful:
- "A communist infiltrator in the USA. Everyone outside knows who she is. Never buying Estée Lauder again."
- "Shame on you for supporting someone linked to oppression and the plight of the Cuban people."
- "It's an absolute disgrace to have this woman as your image."
- "A Cuban who supports the regime shouldn't represent this brand."
Debate Over Public Figures and Authoritarian Regimes
The association between Ana de Armas and Manuel Alejandro Anido Cuesta has ignited a debate about the influence of public figures connected, directly or indirectly, to authoritarian regimes. Anido Cuesta's role as an advisor within Díaz-Canel's inner circle adds to the critics' unease.
This uproar unfolds against a backdrop of severe economic and social hardships faced by the Cuban population, many of which are attributed to the prevailing political system. Detractors argue that Ana de Armas's relationship with Díaz-Canel's stepson and her continued role as an ambassador for prominent international brands demonstrate a disconnect from the realities faced by the Cuban people.
Silence from Brands and the Actress
As the controversy continues to escalate on social media, neither Louis Vuitton, Estée Lauder, nor Ana de Armas have issued official statements addressing the situation. This indignation adds fuel to ongoing campaigns by Cuban exiles and activists aiming to highlight perceived contradictions and complicities in the ties between celebrities and figures associated with the Cuban regime.