Residents of Cuba have been sending heartfelt messages to El Taiger, who is currently in intensive care at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital after being shot in the head last Thursday. Independent portal CubaNet took to the streets of Havana, capturing Cubans of various ages expressing their wishes for the singer's swift recovery.
A young woman remarked, "I hope he gets better soon. I pray for him every night. He's the greatest, and he'll pull through this." Another person commented, "I hope he recovers because, what can I say, only he knows what happened to him." A man added, "We all want to see him back on stage as soon as possible."
A guitarist shared, "May God be with you, man, because I need to keep seeing you in person. Fight on, because life is short and you have the talent to make it through this."
The Impact of the Incident on Cuban Fans
The news of the attack on El Taiger has deeply affected his fans in Cuba, who are closely monitoring his health. On Saturday night, hundreds took to the streets of Guantánamo to honor the reggaeton artist. However, the event sparked debate. Some supported the show of solidarity, while others criticized the lack of protests for freedom, food shortages, and power outages.
An elderly woman commented, "I have nothing against that man; I hope he recovers as a fellow human. But it's hard to ignore a whole demonstration when they don't rally for a better life, despite hunger, power cuts, and abuses. Idol worship is destroying them."
Calls for Broader Social Change
A young man stated, "Organize a march against this incapable government that has plunged the country into chronic underdevelopment, pushing our youth to flee for a better future. I'm truly convinced the PCC has brainwashed Cubans. The country's in darkness, children and the elderly lack food and medicine, there's no public transport, and yet they don't mobilize to protest."
Cubans across several provinces held vigils on Friday and Saturday for the recovery of José Manuel Carbajal, El Taiger's real name. In Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Cárdenas, and Havana, people gathered to pray for the singer's health.