Renowned Cuban poet José Martínez has once again captured the attention of social media with his latest satirical poem, "The Vaseline," which has already garnered over 13,700 likes and 1,400 shares on Facebook.
In a 58-second video, Martínez appears wearing his signature straw hat and blue denim shirt. The poem kicks off with a provocative question: "A crab that can talk?"—a direct nod to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, who had just given his first public interview to The National on June 19, a mere three days prior.
Unmasking the Political Game
With biting irony, the poem exposes the political maneuvering within Cuba's regime, illustrating how power is gradually seized through the metaphor of "applying vaseline," a process so subtle that the public remains unaware until it is too late.
Martínez recites, "They know how to prepare the people for the heist; it's a sly style that works well in Cuba, applying vaseline," before detailing the steps: appearing in photos and videos, a subtle rise, mention of the "commander," inaugurating centers, leading meetings, and finally, the transition from outsider to insider.
GAESA and Political Intrigue
The poem makes an explicit reference to GAESA, the powerful military-run conglomerate sanctioned by the Trump administration under Executive Order 14404 on May 7. The lines "after GAESA, nothing should surprise you" set the tone from the start.
Senator Marco Rubio has stated that GAESA controls assets worth between $18 billion and $20 billion, outside public audit, a scandal that dominated Cuban political discussions in May and June.
Raúl Guillermo's Role in the Regime
At 41, Raúl Guillermo serves as a colonel in the Ministry of the Interior and has been the chief of personal security for his grandfather Raúl Castro since 2016. Although he holds no official government position, he acts as an informal conduit between Havana and Washington. In May, he reportedly met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe during a visit to Cuba.
In his interview with The National, Raúl Guillermo stated, "Cuba poses no threat whatsoever to the interests or national security of the United States," acknowledging that talks with Washington have yet to yield tangible results: "I wish I could say yes, but the reality is no."
A Prolific Voice in Satire
"The Vaseline" is just the latest in a series of viral poems Martínez has released throughout 2026, each responding directly to current political events. His poem "No One Flees to Communism," published on June 15, amassed nearly 20,000 views. On May 22, he dramatized Raúl Castro's criminal proceedings using Villa Marista methods, and in April, he released "I Won't Sign," opposing the Communist Party's "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign.
Based in Miami, Martínez, a Cuban psychologist and entrepreneur, skillfully blends décimas and popular poetic forms with dark humor and irony, establishing himself as a leading satirical voice among the Cuban diaspora on social media.
The poem concludes with a line encapsulating its central message: "And when you opened your eyes, the outsider had become the insider," alluding to Raúl Guillermo's role as a bridge between the regime's elite and the Trump administration amid heightened tensions between Havana and Washington.
FAQs on Cuban Political Satire and Poet José Martínez
Who is José Martínez?
José Martínez is a Cuban poet known for his satirical and politically charged poems. He is also a psychologist and entrepreneur residing in Miami.
What is the significance of "The Vaseline" poem?
"The Vaseline" addresses the subtle and manipulative methods of political ascent within the Cuban regime, using satire to critique the lack of transparency and public awareness.
What is GAESA?
GAESA is a military-controlled business conglomerate in Cuba, sanctioned by the Trump administration for operating outside public audit and holding significant assets.