On Monday, Cuban influencer Alexander Otaola issued a bold message directed at Miguel Díaz-Canel during his program "Hola! Ota-Ola," which airs on the channel Cubanos por el Mundo – Live. Otaola provocatively stated, "Now is the time for you to give the order for combat."
This statement comes amid heightened political tension between the Cuban regime and Donald Trump's administration. The U.S. president publicly warned Havana to "make a deal before it’s too late," following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and the alleged cessation of oil and financial support that Cuba had been receiving from Venezuela for years.
During his show, Otaola responded to recent declarations from the Cuban government, which included military exercises for National Defense Day and statements from Díaz-Canel asserting that Cuba "does not threaten, it prepares," and is ready to defend itself "to the last drop of blood."
Otaola highlighted that Díaz-Canel had previously used the phrase "order of combat." On July 11, 2021, during widespread protests across Cuba, the Cuban leader appeared on national television declaring, "The order of combat is given, revolutionaries to the streets," a call that preceded crackdowns on protesters in various cities throughout the island.
Otaola pointed out that this order was aimed at unarmed citizens who were protesting, and with that context in mind, he directed his latest comment at the Cuban leader.
This verbal exchange occurs as the Cuban regime faces one of its most significant periods of international isolation in decades, responding to Washington's warnings with a rhetoric of confrontation and resistance.
Understanding the Political Tensions Between Cuba and the U.S.
What prompted Alexander Otaola's challenge to Díaz-Canel?
Otaola's challenge was prompted by recent political tensions and statements from the Cuban government, as well as historical context from Díaz-Canel's past use of the phrase "order of combat" during protests.
How did the U.S. government respond to Cuba's current stance?
The U.S. government, under Donald Trump, issued warnings to Havana to negotiate before circumstances worsen, particularly following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and the end of Venezuelan support.