Spanish actor and outspoken supporter of the Cuban regime, Willy Toledo, has once again launched a verbal assault on Yotuel Romero and his wife, actress, singer, and producer Beatriz Luengo. Toledo accused the couple of orchestrating a campaign against him, lamenting what he perceives as biased media coverage in Spain. Seeking solace, he turned to José Manuel Manzaneda, a journalist from the Basque channel Cubainformación, known for its staunch defense of Havana's government.
In an interview with Cubainformación, Toledo unleashed a fresh wave of insults and provocations, targeting the Cuban musician and questioning his intelligence. "They attack, attack, attack, and never give you the chance to explain yourself," Toledo complained about the Spanish media's portrayal of the spat between him and the creators of the documentary "Patria y Vida."
A Dispute Rooted in Controversy
Positioning himself as the victim, Toledo attempted to distort the origins of the controversy, which began with an offensive tweet aimed at discrediting artists who, alongside other Cuban colleagues, created an anthem for those demanding an end to dictatorship and the establishment of freedom and democracy in Cuba.
Hurt by the widespread attention "Patria y Vida" received, Toledo took to social media to slander its creators, going so far as to describe Yotuel as "the kind of person who would sell his child for a few coins." This prompted a direct response from Beatriz, who, speaking as a mother and an activist for Cuban freedom, announced she would sue Toledo for his comments and for involving a minor in his attacks.
Escalating Insults and Provocations
Undeterred, Toledo's retort was even more offensive, branding the couple as "scum" and labeling Yotuel an "intellectual cripple," among other derogatory terms like "fascist trash, little husband, and worm." Known for his provocative nature, the communist Spanish actor reached new levels of antagonism on November 20th, when he spoke via videoconference with the pro-regime channel Cubainformación.
Aiming to further provoke Yotuel and unsettle him, Toledo resorted to machismo, mocking Beatriz's involvement and questioning Yotuel's intelligence and manhood. "It seems Mrs. Luengo has taken up the role of Mr. Yotuel's defender, because the poor man lacks the wit to stand up for himself," Toledo sneered, attempting to undermine Beatriz's integrity and courage, as well as Yotuel's intellect and virility.
Denial and Mockery of Cuban Struggles
For 20 minutes, Toledo and Manzaneda reveled in their disdain and disrespect for the couple, interspersing their conversation with the tired rhetoric of the Cuban regime, and launching slander and libel against the artists. Loyal to the dictatorship's interests, Toledo and Manzaneda mocked the suffering of Cubans yearning for denied rights and freedoms, dismissing the couple's denunciations of repression in Cuba as "lies."
Despite overwhelming evidence, Toledo insisted that no one in Cuba is imprisoned for expressing or listening to "Patria y Vida." The Spanish supporters of the regime ignored the documented cases, including that of rapper Maykel Osorbo, a participant in "Patria y Vida," who has been serving an eight-year prison sentence since May 2021. Osorbo stands as the only Grammy-winning artist jailed for political reasons, a fact conveniently omitted amid their sarcasm.