Cuban influencer Alexander Otaola has strongly criticized the U.S. government's sanctions policy against the Cuban regime, arguing that it has failed to prevent regime supporters from entering the country freely. During his show, "Hola! Otaola," the host addressed a pointed message to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other Cuban-American legislators following the recent arrival of actor Alejandro Cuervo in Miami.
"This is yet another example of how the sanctions are not working," Otaola declared, displaying images of the actor in South Florida. He explained that Cuervo reportedly traveled from Spain after living there briefly with his family. "All the rats are coming to hide in Miami, the same Miami they once criticized," he added.
Otaola, known for his critical stance against artists who collaborate with official Cuban institutions, lashed out at the process that allows figures like Cuervo to enter the U.S. with a visa, while legal immigration processes are hindered for many Cubans. "What sense does it make to keep families who are going through legal procedures apart, while granting visas to these shameless individuals?" he questioned, visibly outraged.
The host also urged scrutiny of the activities at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, suggesting that visas may be issued there to individuals connected to the Cuban regime's cultural apparatus. "It's crucial to monitor who is receiving visas from Spain," he warned.
Since his departure from Cuba, Alejandro Cuervo has been at the center of controversy. In April, his wife opened a business in Havana, and weeks later, the family left the island for Europe. By June, Cuervo had arrived in Miami, sparking criticism from the exile community and Otaola's followers, who question the consistency of the U.S. immigration system.
The Debate Over U.S. Sanctions and Visa Policies
Cuervo's case brings the discussion on visa policies and sanctions back to the forefront. For Otaola, allowing entry to figures who have supported the regime is a betrayal to Cubans fighting for democratic change. "This is not what needs to be done. Sanctions do not stop the two-faced nor the accomplices," he asserted.
A Consistent Stance Against the Cuban Regime and Its Allies
Otaola's statements are not isolated incidents. The influencer has persistently campaigned against what he perceives as leniency in applying sanctions to the regime's accomplices. In January, he urged President Donald Trump to enforce direct sanctions against travel agencies that, in his view, facilitate the entry of regime supporters into the United States.
In February, he went further, demanding that the Cuban Communist Party be declared a terrorist organization by U.S. authorities, citing its role in repression, persecution, and the misery affecting the Cuban people. And in April, in another statement from his show, he called for closing "everything" to Cuba, including remittances, flights, and trade, until real change occurs in the country.
These radical stances have earned Otaola a loyal following within the exile community, but they have also attracted significant criticism, even from moderate sectors advocating for a more gradual approach. However, for the host, allowing entry to figures associated with the regime is a betrayal to Cubans striving for a free nation.
Understanding U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What are the main criticisms of U.S. sanctions on Cuba?
Critics argue that the sanctions have not been effective in stopping regime supporters from entering the United States and have instead complicated legal immigration processes for many Cubans.
Why is Alejandro Cuervo's case controversial?
Alejandro Cuervo's arrival in Miami has sparked criticism because he is perceived as a supporter of the Cuban regime, raising questions about the consistency of U.S. immigration policies.
What is Alexander Otaola's stance on U.S. policies towards Cuba?
Alexander Otaola advocates for stricter enforcement of sanctions and has called for measures such as declaring the Cuban Communist Party a terrorist organization and cutting off remittances, flights, and trade with Cuba.