Cuban comedian José Carlos Pérez, known as Carlucho, offered his response to comments made by television host Carlos Otero during an interview with CiberCuba in Madrid. Otero had stated on "Esto no es un Podcast" that he would never work with Carlucho again.
Unsurprisingly, this candid admission did not go unnoticed by Carlucho. Though initially contacted by CiberCuba for his reaction, Carlucho chose to wait before responding. Five days later, his reply was as pointed as expected.
On April 25, Carlucho had hinted at his response with a sarcastic Instagram video, stating, "What a pride! I'll respond when I reach Madrid. I can't recall ever asking this man to work with him, but here's my answer. A kiss, my king." The online feud between Carlucho and Carlos Otero quickly gained traction on social media, even before Carlucho's formal response.
Carlucho's Dual Response: Serious and Humorous
During an interview conducted by journalist Tania Costa, Carlucho responded on two fronts: a serious one and a humorous one.
On a serious note, Carlucho framed the situation within the current Cuban context: "If tomorrow I were called to perform on a stage where they demand the freedom of Cuban prisoners, the freedom of Cuba, and the end of the Díaz-Canel and Castro dictatorship, I wouldn't care who else is on that stage; I would go," he declared.
He also highlighted the differences between them. What bothers Carlucho is that Otero, who worked with official Cuban television figures like Froilán Arencibia and Rafael Serrano, feels uneasy about the possibility of working with Carlucho again, even though Carlucho never had the "fortune" to work with those regime spokespeople due to his reputation as a "rebellious comedian."
"These are not times for hatred, but for unity. That's the serious response," he asserted.
Using Humor to Make a Point
As a comedian, Carlucho used a baseball metaphor to mock Otero, likening him to an amateur player claiming he wouldn't play for the New York Yankees when the Yankees had never approached him.
"Look, first of all, your stadium is very small, my player, because you work from your living room. Secondly, your average is quite low because very few people watch you," Carlucho quipped, referring to the show Otero hosts on social media following his departure from América TeVé.
The most revealing moment came when Carlucho disclosed that, despite not being friends, he had helped Otero settle in the U.S. with a job and a car. "Among the great things I cherish in my life is having taken the hand of his two children, his wife, and him, and helped them move to a free country. I secured him a million-dollar contract when I was making money," Carlucho revealed.
Carlucho, who ended his 17-year tenure with América TeVé in February 2019, clarified that his actions were never intended for gratitude: "I never did it for thanks. I did it simply because of the heritage that only saves us, Cubans."
Carlos Otero left Cuba on December 9, 2007, with his family, seeking political asylum at the U.S.-Canada border after gaining popularity with the show "Sabadazo" during the Special Period in Cuba. At that time, Carlucho was making a name for himself alongside Robertico, forming the duo Los Bufomaníacos.
Carlucho concluded his response with a powerful statement: "I hope that one day, the internal hatred that people want to attribute to me can heal those who suffer from hate."
The comedian is currently residing in Madrid, where he has lived for about a year and a half. On Sunday, May 3, he will perform alongside Robertico at the Teatro Las Vegas in the show "El Reencuentro," marking their first joint performance in over 25 years as Los Bufomaníacos.
Key Insights on Carlucho and Carlos Otero's Dispute
Why did Carlos Otero say he wouldn't work with Carlucho?
Carlos Otero expressed in an interview that he would not work with Carlucho again, but he did not elaborate on specific reasons during the podcast.
How did Carlucho help Carlos Otero in the past?
Carlucho assisted Carlos Otero and his family in relocating to the United States, securing him a job and a vehicle.
What is Carlucho's stance on working with others for Cuban liberty?
Carlucho stated he would perform on any stage that advocates for the freedom of Cuban prisoners and the end of the dictatorship, regardless of who else is present.