Cuban comedian and singer La Crema, known offstage as Luis Alberto Vicet Vives, took to Facebook on Wednesday to share a brief 43-second video mocking the philosophical response given by Miguel Díaz-Canel when questioned about Cuba's prospects amid its ongoing crisis.
The spark for this satire was a recent interview Díaz-Canel gave to Russian channel RT en Español. When journalist Oliver Zamora asked about Cuba's future, Díaz-Canel quoted Argentine filmmaker Fernando Birri, a sentiment popularized by Eduardo Galeano: "Utopia is on the horizon. When we walk two steps, utopia moves two steps back. And the horizon shifts ten steps ahead. What use is utopia? To keep us moving forward. I'd say hope is much the same."
This response was widely perceived as an evasive and disconnected take on the harsh realities faced by everyday Cubans. La Crema quickly responded with biting sarcasm.
"Folks, now Diazca says utopia steps back two paces and the horizon moves forward ten. That's like saying, 'How philosophical!' It's akin to saying, 'Technique is technique, and without technique, there is no technique.' Oh my goodness, people, how are there still comedians left in Cuba! What is that?" the artist quipped in the video.
Ending his video, La Crema posed a question to his viewers, encapsulating the moment's tone: "Does this call for a musical theme or not? Let me know what you think."
The comedian's reaction adds to a cascade of criticism and memes that flooded social media following Díaz-Canel's remarks, with thousands of Cubans responding with comments like "Get out!" and "Leave now!" alongside hashtags like "#QueSeVayan."
Historian and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández, under house arrest since June 2024, also criticized the leader with a sharp remark: "No one like the Cuban president to spout nonsense in a grandiose tone."
The context in which Díaz-Canel turned to this philosophical metaphor is dire: as he admitted in the same RT interview, Cuba has gone six months without a fuel shipment, except for one from Russia, and the country produces only 40,000 barrels of oil daily against a need for between 90,000 and 110,000, with blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day.
This is not the first time La Crema has directly targeted the regime. In April 2026, he collaborated with Cuqui La Mora on the viral video "El comunismo ya se va, se va, se fue," featuring chants like "Freedom for Cuba!" and "Down with the dictatorship!" In January of that year, he took part in the parody "Donald Trump, take Canel with you."
The question he posed at the end of his latest video—whether Díaz-Canel's phrase "calls for a musical theme"—suggests that the artist's political satire might soon have another installment.
Understanding the Satirical Critique of Díaz-Canel's Utopian Remarks
What prompted La Crema's satirical video?
La Crema's video was prompted by Miguel Díaz-Canel's response in an interview with RT en Español, where he used a philosophical quotation to address Cuba's future amid the crisis.
How did the public react to Díaz-Canel's comments?
The public reacted with widespread criticism and memes on social media, with many Cubans expressing frustration and demanding change.
What is the significance of La Crema's question about a musical theme?
La Crema's question hints at the possibility of creating a new satirical musical piece, continuing his critique of the Cuban regime through art and humor.