Cuban baritone and theater director Ulises Aquino Guerra issued a strong and public rebuke to filmmaker Eduardo del Llano on Thursday. This came after Del Llano posted a satirical piece on Facebook mocking the recent protests in Havana, depicting them as scheduled events with fines for participants who protested out of turn.
Del Llano's satirical text mimicked an official statement that divided the capital into six zones, each with designated protest times. It also included mocking references to "ultra-durable pots, donated by Russia and Mexico, with a guarantee of ten thousand uses," and humorously prohibited "any shenanigans from 4 to 6 AM."
Aquino Guerra quickly reacted on Facebook, sharply criticizing the filmmaker's humorous approach. He defended those who nightly beat their pots in the face of blackouts, mosquitoes, and hunger, stating, "No one takes to the streets to bang pots to enliven the distressing nights filled with mosquitoes, blackouts, and even hunger and despair."
The founder of Ópera de la Calle described Del Llano's post as a mockery of "something so sacred" that represents "a real and incredible tragedy." He expressed feeling "deep shame" towards those who make jokes in such a context.
While admitting he once respected Del Llano as a creator, Aquino harshly criticized him as a person, saying, "As a man, as a citizen, and as a Cuban, I am ashamed of your cowardice, your servility, and your lack of respect for those who, in their most legitimate right, have nothing else to do but cry out in pain."
Aquino also pointed out the missed opportunity: "If you wanted to draw attention, the most honorable thing would have been to empathize with those who suffer."
He concluded his message with a direct remark: "What a shameful citizen you are."
This exchange unfolds amid a wave of popular protests shaking Cuba since March 2026. That month saw pot-banging protests erupt across several neighborhoods in Havana, Matanzas, and Holguín, in response to power outages lasting more than 24 hours.
In Marianao, residents set garbage containers on fire during a blackout on March 13. Meanwhile, protests were reported in Mayarí, Holguín, where people took to the streets "with the beat of pots" on March 15.
By June 5, the sound of clanging pots was described as the "soundtrack of exhaustion" amidst an unprecedented energy crisis.
The debate between Aquino and Del Llano highlights a significant tension within the Cuban intellectual community: whether political humor can—or should—be applied to a situation of widespread and daily suffering, experienced by millions of Cubans each night, left without electricity, food, or a voice other than the clatter of a pot.
Understanding the Cuban Protests and Intellectual Debate
What sparked the recent wave of protests in Cuba?
The protests were triggered by prolonged power outages lasting more than 24 hours, affecting multiple neighborhoods in Havana, Matanzas, and Holguín since March 2026.
How did Ulises Aquino respond to Eduardo del Llano's satire?
Ulises Aquino condemned Del Llano's satirical approach, describing it as a mockery of a profound tragedy faced by Cubans. He expressed shame and criticized Del Llano's lack of empathy and respect.
What role does political humor play in Cuban society?
Political humor in Cuba is a contentious issue, especially when it addresses the struggles of daily life under the regime. While some see it as a form of critique, others argue it can trivialize genuine suffering.