The Cuban actor and comedian Andy Vázquez broke his silence this Friday following the revelation that Rafael Pérez Insua, the former director of the state-run channel Cubavisión, is now residing in the United States. Pérez Insua entered the country in 2024 through the Mexican border, facilitated by the CBP One application.
In an interview with Martí Noticias, Vázquez, who gained considerable fame in Cuba for his character Facundo Correcto on the show "Vivir del Cuento," stated that the ex-official played a significant role in his censorship and eventual departure from Cuba. "This man was part of the censorship machine that forced me to leave my country. He has never apologized. He never faced the consequences. Now he's here, taking advantage of immigration benefits meant for people like me, not for oppressors," Vázquez declared during the interview.
He recounted how Cuban television launched a "smear campaign" against him, effectively barring him from the show and canceling all his artistic projects and appearances, ultimately forcing him into exile. This followed the viral spread of his satirical video "Mercado Cuatro Caminos" on social media, which mocked the reopening of a Havana shopping center. The sketch triggered swift action from authorities, who accused him of being financed by the United States.
"They summoned me, accused me of working for imperialism, pressured me to recant. They sanctioned me and closed all doors. It was a witch hunt," recalled the artist, who eventually fled to the U.S., leaving behind his wife, mother, and newborn daughter.
The Role of Rafael Pérez Insua
According to Vázquez, Pérez Insua was tasked with publicly justifying his removal from the show and denying any censorship, even going so far as to claim that Facundo was not Vázquez's creation. "He went on air to assure the public that 'Vivir del Cuento' would continue and that I was not sanctioned, merely absent from the country," Vázquez explained. "I bought the guayabera myself. I built the character. We did our own makeup. He lied, saying he spoke with me when I've never even seen him in person," Vázquez exclaimed with indignation.
Migrant Pathways and Controversy
The comedian also highlighted the increasing number of former regime officials settling in the U.S. through immigration pathways intended for political refugees. "If you're fleeing the regime, the first thing you do is denounce it. But if you arrive and stay silent, it means you're still working for them," he emphasized.
The former Cubavisión director, Rafael Pérez Insua, was a notable figure within Cuba's state media system. Just recently, Martí Noticias disclosed that he entered the U.S. in August 2024, initially settling in Texas before moving to Miami, where he remains out of the public eye while seeking refuge under the Cuban Adjustment Act, according to insider sources.
Attempts by the esteemed Florida news outlet to contact Insua were unsuccessful, as he hung up upon recognizing journalist Mario J Pentón's voice. This case rekindles the debate around the arrival of individuals linked to the official repression in the U.S., sparking fresh criticisms among exiles and victims of censorship, who demand stricter scrutiny in immigration processes.
Key Questions About Cuban Immigration and Censorship
What role did Rafael Pérez Insua play in Andy Vázquez's censorship?
Rafael Pérez Insua was part of the censorship apparatus that led to Andy Vázquez's exile. He publicly justified Vázquez's removal from the show and denied any censorship had occurred.
How did Andy Vázquez react to Pérez Insua's arrival in the U.S.?
Vázquez expressed outrage, stating that Pérez Insua is benefiting from immigration policies designed for political refugees, despite being part of the machinery that censored him.
What triggered Vázquez's departure from Cuba?
A satirical video titled "Mercado Cuatro Caminos" that Vázquez published on social media led to a backlash from authorities, who accused him of being financed by the U.S. This resulted in a campaign against him and his subsequent exile.