The renowned chess Grandmaster Lázaro Bruzón took to Instagram on Wednesday to release a video staunchly defending his ongoing critique of Cuba’s political landscape. Despite years of attempts to suppress his voice, Bruzón reaffirmed his dedication to exposing the realities faced by the Cuban people.
“I refuse to be silenced, and I will continue to speak about Cuba,” declared Bruzón, now residing in the United States since July 2018. “For eight years, they’ve tried every possible personal attack against me, but I have nothing to hide. Silencing me is not an option.”
He labeled his critics as “ciberclarias” and “cibercombatientes”—terms he uses to describe digital advocates of the Cuban government—and accused them of personal attacks due to their lack of substantial arguments. “Faced with an overwhelming truth, they choose to target the messenger,” he explained.
The Right to Criticize from Abroad
Bruzón also dismissed the notion that Cubans in exile lack the right to criticize the regime because they didn’t do so while on the island. “You say I didn’t speak up in Cuba because you wanted me jailed. That’s not a valid argument,” he countered. He argued that living under a dictatorship justifies previous silence, but remaining quiet after achieving freedom would be “a great shame.”
His message was clear: “No Cuban should feel ashamed for not speaking up within Cuba, within the confines of a prison. The key is to exercise your freedom of expression and criticize the injustices in your homeland once you’re in a free country.”
Challenging the Regime’s Authority
Bruzón also questioned the legitimacy of the Cuban regime to speak on behalf of the nation: “Neither Canel, nor the party, nor Fidel, nor Raúl, nor anyone else. These people are not more Cuban than us; rather, they are the destroyers of the Cuban nation.”
The video concluded with a defiant slogan: “Down with the dictatorship, freedom for all political prisoners, and keep suffering, my cibercombatientes. Until it collapses, I, just another Cuban, will continue to denounce what happens in Cuba.”
This statement is part of a series of public declarations by the chess player during the latter half of 2026. Earlier in October, Bruzón argued that imprisoning young people for posting videos or singing protest songs equates to “justifying cruelty.”
In late September, he described Cuba as a “dictatorship without alternation” and asserted that the country suffers from the “worst” economic and social conditions.
Additionally, in September, he revealed that his mother was harassed in a Las Tunas store by individuals blaming her for her son’s political views, to whom he retorted: “Las Tunas, leading in informers and fire-eaters.”
Back in April, the chess player had already warned that every Cuban who leaves the island risks becoming an “enemy” of the regime, even if they were once loyal or represented the country officially.
Bruzón, a six-time national champion of Cuba and International Grandmaster since the age of 17, has been competing under the U.S. flag since July 2020 following FIDE’s approval. He has repeatedly stated he will not return to the island until it is “free and democratic.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Lázaro Bruzón's Statements on Cuba
Why does Lázaro Bruzón criticize the Cuban government?
Lázaro Bruzón criticizes the Cuban government due to its oppressive political system and its impact on the Cuban people. He believes that living under a dictatorship justifies previous silence, but it is important to speak out once in a free country.
What terms does Bruzón use to describe his critics?
Bruzón refers to his critics as “ciberclarias” and “cibercombatientes,” words he uses to describe digital supporters of the Cuban government who resort to personal attacks instead of engaging in substantive debate.
How long has Lázaro Bruzón been living in the United States?
Lázaro Bruzón has been residing in the United States since July 2018.