Rafael Pérez Insua, the former director of Cuba's state-run channel Cubavisión, is now residing in the United States after crossing the border with the help of the CBP One application in 2024. Pérez played a significant role in the propaganda machinery of the Cuban regime. During his tenure at Cubavisión, Cubavisión Internacional, and Canal Habana, he was a staunch supporter of censorship, endorsed repression, and aligned himself closely with the interests of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
In a drastic turn of events, this former Cuban official now calls Miami home, where he benefits from food stamps and awaits the one-year-and-one-day legal period required to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act. His departure from Cuba occurred in October 2023, amid a wave of Cuban migrants making their way to Mexico with hopes of entering the United States during the Biden Administration.
According to sources from the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), now known as the Institute of Information and Social Communication, Pérez had been sidelined since late 2023, a situation colloquially referred to as being on "pajama duty." His presence in the United States has sparked outrage among the Cuban exile community, particularly due to his involvement in censoring content critical of the regime and his stance during the events of July 11th.
Controversial Past and Quiet Present
One of the most notable incidents during his time as a regime official was the expulsion of comedian Andy Vázquez from the show "Vivir del Cuento" following a parody about the Cuatro Caminos market. "He used the character to express a personal opinion," Insua justified at the time.
Pérez initially settled in Texas before relocating to South Florida, where he has chosen to remain silent and avoid public exposure. Cuban journalist Mario J. Pentón verified that Pérez Insua is in Miami and attempted to contact him by phone for his side of the story, but upon recognizing the journalist's voice, the former director hung up immediately.
"He came in like any other migrant. Today, he shuns cameras, refuses interviews, and tries to stay under the radar. Quite a contrast to his role in Cuba, where he routinely justified repression," Pentón commented.
Exodus of Cuban Media Officials
On social media, other users have confirmed the former official's presence in the United States. The Facebook page La Tijera reports that Pérez and his wife are still living in San Antonio, Texas, working at a digital channel and a radio station.
Pérez Insua is not the only former official from Cuba's state media apparatus to have emigrated. In January 2024, CiberCuba reported the arrival of Lianet Uley Suárez, the former director of information for Cuban radio and PCC secretary at the ICRT, who also reportedly remained in Mexico.
These cases highlight a growing trend among officials from the regime's ideological apparatus who, after years of complicity with censorship and indoctrination, choose to quietly leave and start anew in the United States.
Questions About Cuban Officials in the U.S.
Why did Rafael Pérez Insua move to the United States?
Rafael Pérez Insua moved to the United States after entering via the border in 2024, seeking a new life away from his previous role in Cuba's state-run media.
What was Pérez Insua's role in Cuban media?
Pérez Insua was a key figure in the Cuban propaganda machine, supporting censorship and repression while aligning with the Communist Party of Cuba's interests.
How has the Cuban exile community reacted to Pérez Insua's presence in the U.S.?
The Cuban exile community has expressed indignation at Pérez Insua's presence in the U.S. due to his past involvement in censoring dissident voices and his stance during significant events in Cuba.