A Cuban grandmother named Lina Hernández has taken social media by storm with a video humorously satirizing the AKM rifle episode involving Silvio Rodríguez, boldly declaring herself "the new guardian" ready to protect her business.
In the clip, shared on Facebook under the title "Guarapito; Guardian with AK," the spirited grandmother opens with enthusiasm: "I'm the new guardian, here to protect the business. Music, maestro," she says before breaking into a reggaeton dance.
The video has garnered over 7,100 views, becoming one of the most celebrated responses in the wave of mockery that followed the incident involving the 79-year-old troubadour.
This all started on March 18 when Silvio posted on his blog, Segunda Cita: "I demand my AKM if they launch. And let it be clear, I mean it seriously," responding to comments by President Donald Trump, who labeled Cuba a "failed nation" and threatened intervention on the island.
The regime took his demand literally. On March 20, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) held an official ceremony where Minister Álvaro López Miera presented Silvio with a replica AKM rifle, with Miguel Díaz-Canel in attendance. The minister clarified, "This is purely symbolic," as the singer-songwriter smiled and pocketed the paper.
The public reaction on social media was swift and mainly filled with mockery.
Content creator Dean Pablo Hernández Torres humorously suggested on Instagram distributing AKMs through the ration book, adding with sarcasm: "If there are 10 million revolutionaries left, give them weapons, and the problem will resolve itself the next day."
Artist Gessliam Suárez, known as Momo, accused Silvio of being an elderly jester who helps sustain the revolution. Even Sandro Castro, Fidel Castro's grandson, made an ironic jab about a dinosaur with an AK47 that sings.
The humor brought by grandmother Lina Hernández, however, sparked the most affection and laughter among users. "The grandmother has more courage than all of them combined," one user commented. "She truly knows how to defend the business," another added.
Many pointed out the irony that an elderly woman, without political rhetoric or an official platform, captured the absurdity of the entire saga better than anyone else.
This episode unfolds as Cuba faces a severe crisis, marked by power outages lasting up to 20 hours, food shortages, and a general decline in basic services—a stark contrast to the militaristic rhetoric of those demanding rifles from the comfort of their blogs and official events.
Key Questions on the Silvio Rodríguez AKM Incident
What sparked the AKM rifle controversy involving Silvio Rodríguez?
The controversy began when Silvio Rodríguez demanded an AKM rifle in response to statements by Donald Trump, leading to a symbolic presentation of a replica rifle by Cuban officials.
Who is Lina Hernández and what did she do?
Lina Hernández is a Cuban grandmother who gained attention by humorously mocking the AKM incident with Silvio Rodríguez in a social media video, declaring herself "the new guardian."
How did Cuban social media users react to the AKM rifle episode?
The reaction was largely mocking, with many users using humor to criticize the absurdity of the situation and the Cuban government's response.