Zoe Martínez, a Cuban political commentator and member of the Liberal Party (PL), has made history by winning a seat as a councilwoman in São Paulo, Brazil. Garnering a total of 60,272 votes, Martínez ranked 13th among the most voted candidates in the recent municipal elections held on Sunday, October 6, as reported by Folha de Sao Paulo.
At just 25 years old, Martínez received significant backing from former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro. Known affectionately in Brazil as the "Cubaninha" (little Cuban), she has lived in the South American nation since she was 12 years old. Her candidacy was officially launched in July of this year at the Military Association of the state.
A Powerful Voice Against Cuba's Regime
Martínez has gained recognition as a vocal critic of the political and social dilemmas under Cuba's regime. She drew considerable attention in 2022 after confronting a Brazilian journalist who refused to acknowledge Cuba as a dictatorship. During an episode of the Morning Program on Joven Pan, regular guest César Calejón denied the harsh realities of the Caribbean country, prompting a decisive response from Martínez, as highlighted by the Brazilian portal at the time.
"Cuba has nothing to offer the world. The Cuban dictatorship destroyed Cuba. My family left gradually, first my father, then my mother, then my sister and me… it was a family separation that lasted seven years, fleeing from that dictatorship," the young woman replied to her counterpart, who attempted to justify the situation in Cuba from a leftist perspective.
Challenging Misconceptions
Martínez urged the journalist to educate himself on the topic before attempting to rationalize the circumstances of a country whose regime has caused immense suffering and family separations. Her candid and informed approach has resonated with many who are critical of the current state of Cuba.