The Cuban state-run media outlet Cubadebate launched an attack on Alexander Otaola this Tuesday following his controversial remarks about the health condition of reggaeton artist El Taiger. The musician is currently hospitalized in Miami after being shot in the head on Thursday, October 3rd.
An article penned by pro-government journalist Arleen Rodríguez Derivet harshly criticizes Otaola for his derogatory comments regarding El Taiger. The podcast "Chapeando Bajito," featured on Cubadebate, opines, "It makes no sense for someone seeking to gain an audience to behave in such a manner, only to end up facing more ridicule and criticism than when he lost the mayoral race."
According to the podcast, Otaola, known for his polarizing rhetoric, allegedly made these statements to distract from the arrest of his former campaign manager, Andy Santana Zamora, on charges of pedophilia. Arleen, a close associate of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, emphasizes that despite his tactics, Otaola is facing backlash even from his supporters, highlighting the disconnect between his stance and Cuban popular culture, which El Taiger is seen as representing.
"We might have different opinions about El Taiger's music, but there's no denying that his work resonates with the Cuban psyche. His lyrics have become part of the Cuban vernacular, as popular music often does," they comment.
Otaola's comments during his YouTube show "¡Hola, Otaola!" amidst El Taiger's critical condition have sparked outrage among artists and fans of the musician, known for his hit "La Historia." Otaola remarked, "Now everyone is friends, everyone wants the best for El Taiger, everyone is about forgiveness and forgetting, everyone is praying. If El Taiger survives—and I hope he does—those sending good vibes should know he will have special needs."
Eduardo Antonio strongly condemned Otaola's statements in a video, while comedian Limay Blanco announced he had blocked Otaola and threatened to do the same to anyone sharing his content. Another Cuban comedian residing in the United States, Ariel Mancebo, criticized Otaola's insensitivity, stating, "You've gone too far."
The Cuban government has seized the opportunity to join the media wave supporting El Taiger, a singer whom the newspaper Trabajadores claims was a victim of "a violent society like the United States." Meanwhile, the Cuban Institute of Music pledged to keep the public informed in the coming days and wished "a speedy recovery for this young musician, who has not renounced his nationality or love for Cuba."
The investigation into the incident where the Cuban reggaeton artist was shot in the head is ongoing. In a dramatic turn of events, on Monday, the police sought assistance and even offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of Cuban-born Damián Valdez-Galloso, known as "El Narra," who is reportedly the prime suspect in the case.