On Sunday, Manolín, known as "The Salsa Doctor," took to Facebook to share a message titled "A Happy Day is Approaching," envisioning a future where Cuba embraces freedom and democracy. He directed his words at the regime's leaders, whom he holds responsible for depriving the Cuban people of their most sacred right.
"Freedom and democracy are the greatest gifts a nation can receive, especially the Cuban people who have endured nearly 70 years under a dictatorship that has stripped away their most sacred rights," the singer expressed in his post.
Illustrating what freedom truly means, Manolín painted a vivid picture: "It would be wonderful to see Cubans debating different ideas on TV without the fear of losing their jobs or facing imprisonment for expressing their thoughts freely."
The Stark Reality of Repression
Manolín juxtaposed this hopeful vision with the harsh reality of "power being hijacked, authoritarianism, censorship, blackmail, repression, imprisonment, and exile," emphasizing that this is not the Cuba its citizens desire.
In his message, he addressed the regime's leaders, calling them "dictatorial buffoons": "I hope you're alive somewhere to witness how wrong you were. To see what you prevented us from doing with our country."
A Voice Against the Regime
This recent post is part of a series of political statements Manolín has been making more frequently in recent weeks. On April 17, he criticized Díaz-Canel's call to prepare for a supposed U.S. military aggression, stating, "It's always been this way; they never rally the people for anything good. To Angola, war; to Ethiopia, war... and now in Cuba, war too."
On April 24, he penned a lengthy allegory titled "It Was Never Love, It Was a Kidnapping," comparing the dictatorship to a kidnapper and urging the Cuban people: "Don't save your executioner; it's time for freedom."
A History of Activism
Manolín's digital activism comes amid escalating repression documented in Cuba, where the regime has declared 2026 as the "Year of Preparation for Defense" and Raúl Castro has approved "State of War" plans.
His opposition to the regime is not a new development. As early as March 2020, the singer was calling for the overthrow of the dictatorship, urging, "We bring it down by uniting, raising our voices, and denouncing their abuses. Let freedom and democracy prevail. No more dictatorship."
Manolín's message concludes with a hopeful note, "A happy day is approaching," projecting a vision of a nation where Cubans, united yet diverse in their ideas, can build a free future together.
Questions on Manolín's Vision for Cuba
What does Manolín envision for the future of Cuba?
Manolín envisions a Cuba where freedom and democracy thrive, allowing citizens to express differing ideas without fear of repression or censorship.
How has Manolín criticized the Cuban regime?
Manolín has criticized the regime for its authoritarian practices, including censorship, repression, and deprivation of basic rights, urging the Cuban people to strive for freedom and democracy.
What message did Manolín convey to the regime's leaders?
He addressed the leaders as "dictatorial buffoons," hoping they live to see how wrong they were and what they prevented the Cuban people from achieving.