Cuban activist and opposition figure Carolina Barrero has issued a stern legal warning to the Cuban YouTuber known as "El Mundo de Darwin," whose real name is Darwin Santana Enrique, accusing him of defamation. Barrero took to social media to express her outrage over statements made by Santana in a video, which she claims spreads false information designed to damage her reputation.
"Darwin Santana Enrique, El Mundo de Darwin, the claims you make in your video about me are entirely false and constitute defamation. I have evidence to prove it," declared Barrero.
The activist stressed that she possesses proof to demonstrate the falsehood of the content creator's statements and is prepared to take the matter to court. She pointed out that the YouTuber resides in Ottawa, Canada, where laws protect individuals from defamatory acts, and legal actions can result in serious consequences.
The Cuban opposition member questioned the motives behind the YouTuber's statements, suggesting that it wasn't merely a case of misinformation but a deliberate attempt to harm her. "I don't know if you have very poor information from your 'agents,' a dreadful term you use yourself, but from your behavior, it's clear that naivety isn't driving you," she stated.
"I won't hesitate to file a lawsuit. I advise you to retract your statements. Believe me, if I never feared the agents of State Security, I don't fear you, who, agent or not, as a person, operate using the same tactics," Barrero asserted.
What Did Darwin Claim About Carolina?
Darwin's video was a live broadcast over the weekend. He began by explaining his continued support for Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the Trump Administration's decision to withdraw funds that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated to rebuilding the Cuban media ecosystem.
According to the YouTuber, many of the opposition figures and media outlets benefiting from these U.S. funds contributed little to the fight against the dictatorship. "Among them is Carolina Barrero. You know this 'opposition figure,' somewhat leftist. At a party, she confessed to one of my agents that she received five grants from the United States. Naturally, she's traveling the world, and I ask you: What problems has Carolina Barrero solved? What impact has she had? What has she done for Cuba's freedom? Nothing, just meetings, meetings, and more meetings," Darwin said.
He pointed out that with the removal of the funds, it's understandable that Barrero "is very upset with Marco Rubio, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and everyone cutting off that amount of money."
Darwin Santana reacted to Barrero's warning, challenging her and questioning the source of the money with which the activist would pay for the defamation lawsuit. "Carolina Barrero's lawsuit is coming. She's probably going to pay the lawyers with some U.S. grant because, as far as we know, she doesn't receive any other salary... Allegedly!" said Santana, urging the Trump administration to rigorously oversee the funds.
"Marco Rubio, keep pushing forward. Give that money to those who are truly making a difference!" expressed the YouTuber, indicating he has no intention of retracting his statements.
Legal Implications of Defamation Cases in Canada
What legal actions can Carolina Barrero take against Darwin Santana?
Carolina Barrero can file a defamation lawsuit against Darwin Santana in Canada, where he resides. Canadian law provides protection against defamatory statements, allowing individuals to seek legal remedies if their reputation is unjustly tarnished.
What constitutes defamation under Canadian law?
Under Canadian law, defamation involves making a false statement that damages a person's reputation. The statement must be communicated to someone other than the individual defamed and must cause harm to the person's reputation in the eyes of a reasonable person.