In a recent revelation, Cuban host Carlos Otero shared that the cast of the program Sabadazo performed privately for Raúl Castro at the San Antonio de los Baños air base during the early '90s, a period marked by economic hardship known as the Special Period.
Otero recounted this previously undisclosed story in an interview with Darwin Santana on his YouTube channel, "El Mundo de Darwin." According to Otero, the invitation came from General Cinta Fría, who informed them they were to perform for a battalion anniversary. It was only upon arrival that they learned of Raúl Castro's attendance. The directive was absolute: "It wasn't a request; it was mandatory. If you refused, you simply wouldn't appear on television again."
Upon entering the base, the cast was informed that the then-Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces was present. "They suddenly told us: General Raúl Castro is here and wants to see the show. I thought to myself, this is it; we're going to jail," Otero recalled.
The Unexpected Audience
The performance took place in a makeshift cinema-theater setting, attended by the top commanders of the Western, Central, and Eastern armies. General Cinta Fría emphasized, "We know everything you say in your shows. We want the exact same performance you do on the streets."
Otero described how Raúl Castro laughed heartily at jokes about Cuba's social issues, prompting even louder laughter from the military officials surrounding him. After the performance, Castro summoned the cast to commend them, mistakenly addressing Carlos as "Ricardo Otero," confusing him with the character Margó from Sabadazo. Otero chose not to correct him, saying, "I might play with the chain, but never with the monkey."
A Memorable Experience with No Compensation
The cast received no payment for the performance, a common occurrence during their tours across Cuba. About a week later, the army sent Carlos an envelope containing photographs from the event, including a group picture with Raúl Castro at the center. "I burned those photos," he admitted, explaining that this was around 1999-2000, before leaving Cuba. He noted, however, that the army and State Security likely kept their copies.
During the Special Period, Sabadazo boasted an audience share of 82%, featuring characters like Gustavito and Boncó Quiñongo. The State Security closely monitored the cast: "They knew everything about us, even the color of my underwear," Otero stated.
A Turning Point
In 2002, Otero was summoned to a mandatory event at the Central Committee, where Fidel Castro boasted about executing the "first traitor of the revolution." This incident solidified Otero's resolve to leave the country.
Carlos left Cuba on December 8, 2007, making his way from Canada to the United States. He then worked for 15 years at América TeVé until 2022. He currently hosts "La hora de Carlos" on YouTube every Monday and Thursday.
Insights into Carlos Otero's Revelations
What prompted Carlos Otero to share this story now?
Carlos Otero shared this story as part of a broader narrative about his life under Cuba's regime, aiming to provide insights into the pressures and experiences faced by performers during that time.
What was the reaction of Raúl Castro to the performance?
Raúl Castro reportedly laughed heartily at the jokes about Cuba's social issues, with military officials joining in the laughter even more robustly whenever he did.
Did the cast receive any payment for their performance?
No, the cast did not receive any payment for the performance, which was typical of their unpaid tours across Cuba.