Controversy Erupts Over Cubavisión's Removal of Telenovela Featuring Alexander Otaola

Recently, the state-run channel Cubavisión announced on its official Facebook page that the telenovela Violetas de Agua, previously airing daily at 2:00 p.m., would be pulled from the schedule. The channel cited "technical reasons" for the decision, sparking speculation among viewers. In its place, a musical program titled Cuba es Música will be aired, featuring a special concert by singer-songwriter Tony Ávila. "Don't miss it! Tune in and join us for great music," Cubavisión encouraged in its post.

The move has stirred controversy on social media after it became known that the telenovela included appearances by the controversial influencer and outspoken critic of the Cuban regime, Alexander Otaola. Though Cubavisión has not officially commented on this connection, Otaola responded on his YouTube show with a sarcastic and critical tone, describing the move as "a testament to the mediocrity and censorship" that he believes defines the island's state media.

Otaola detailed that his character appears starting in episode 13 and remains throughout much of the series. He pointed out that this was the only production he filmed at the Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión (ICRT) before his exile. "Either they have incredible bad luck or there's nothing left in the Cuban television archives," he quipped, laughing about the apparent oversight in programming choices.

The influencer further mocked the decision by saying, "How afraid they are of my image within the island prison!" He also joked about his role in the series: "In Violetas de Agua, I play an unhappy, shy, introverted character... What harm could that do?" Otaola reminisced about the times he worked in Cuban television, when content was carefully reviewed before broadcast—a practice he suggests has now lapsed.

Violetas de Agua is a Cuban television production that was part of the ICRT's telenovela lineup. Originally released in 2001 with a script by Maité Vera, the show explores themes related to family dynamics, personal conflicts, and human relationships, staying true to the traditional thematic approach of Cuban telenovelas of that era. The cast includes notable actors such as Dianelis Brito, Armando Tomey, Teresita Rúa, Alberto Pujols, Irela Bravo, and Amarilys Núñez, many of whom have pursued their careers outside Cuba, joining the growing number of Cuban artists seeking new opportunities abroad.

The storyline of Violetas de Agua revolves around various characters facing emotional and social dilemmas within a Cuban community setting. Pedro de la Hoz, a cultural journalist who passed away in 2024, reviewed the series in 2001 for the state newspaper Granma, noting its lack of depth in storytelling and weaknesses in acting direction. According to De la Hoz, the telenovela failed to adequately portray the social conflicts it aimed to address, resulting in a superficial treatment that did not do justice to the issues at hand.

Despite not achieving the impact of other iconic Cuban telenovelas, Violetas de Agua has been rebroadcast several times on Cubavisión, prompting some critics to highlight the limited renewal of content in Cuban television archives.