Cuban urban music artist Luis Alberto Almanza González, widely recognized as El Uniko, has addressed criticism from those who claim he doesn't support the cause of freedom in Cuba enough. "During my peak moments in music, there was no artist who defended the freedoms of the Cuban people more than I did. On July 11, while most artists remained silent, I was the one who took it to the streets," he stated in an Instagram video, responding to a fan's comment that "artists who don't support their people fade away."
The artist expressed disappointment at receiving such criticisms, noting they began when he faced difficulties. "I decided to venture into business, to open a new venture, and what did Cubans do? They started calling inspectors, threatening my well-being and that of my children," he said, referring to his food truck business in Miami that faced backlash.
He realized then that the freedom he needed to prioritize was his own. "And I’m already free, and if there’s a well-being I care about, it's my children's," El Uniko declared. However, he assured that if Cubans take to the streets in the future, he will be "100 percent by their side."
"Until then, don't ask me to do for you what you’re not willing to do for yourselves. Enough, old man," he concluded. A few years ago, El Uniko labeled the Cuban audience as "tragic" and criticized the lack of support for artists who spoke out about politics and are now unable to visit Cuba.
The artist remarked that after being pressured by the public to voice political opinions and denounce Cuba's situation, the same audience now consumes more music from those in Cuba than from artists who can't return due to their stance. "The most tragic audience in the world is the Cuban public. They pressured artists living outside Cuba to speak about politics, and now they listen and support more those living in Cuba than those who sacrificed the chance to visit and perform in the island," he commented.
Last year, El Uniko faced social media criticism for earning a living "selling bread," a reference to the food truck he established in Miami. He responded firmly to those belittling his efforts to "push forward" his business, emphasizing his responsibility to support his children "whether through music or selling bread."
He explained that he had stopped performing concerts because he believed his work "has value." "No promoter is going to set my price. El Uniko is worth $7,000, and I don’t plan to lower that. Meanwhile, keep dealing with Luis Alberto, because here we're making money and fear of problems or starting from scratch is the least of our concerns," he said at the time.
Following his response to critics, El Uniko received numerous supportive messages from fellow Cuban artists, including Andy Vázquez and El Niño y la Verdad.
Insight into El Uniko's Perspective on Cuban Freedom and Criticism
Why did El Uniko face criticism from the Cuban public?
El Uniko was criticized for allegedly not supporting the cause of Cuban freedom enough and for starting a food truck business in Miami, which some viewed as a departure from his advocacy for Cuban rights.
How did El Uniko respond to the criticism about his business?
He defended his decision by stating that his main priority is the well-being of his children, whether through music or his food truck business, and emphasized his right to personal freedom.
What is El Uniko's stance on returning to support the Cuban people's movements?
El Uniko has assured that he will fully support Cuban public movements if they arise in the future, but he encourages individuals to take action for themselves in the meantime.