Radio personality Enrique Santos has come to the defense of Willy Chirino following backlash over the musician's recent comments on immigration. Although Santos does not entirely agree with Chirino's statements, he acknowledges the artist's right to express his views and calls for constructive dialogue free of personal attacks. "Even if I don't agree with everything Willy, Osmani, and García said during the interview, I appreciate that they can freely express their thoughts and feelings here, something they could never do in Cuba," Santos remarked on his show.
Emphasizing his respect for Chirino, Santos stated, "The affection and respect I have for Willy Chirino remain unchanged. Respecting a person, an elder, means acknowledging their history and opinions." He also highlighted Chirino's significance as a symbol of the Cuban exile community, describing him as "a victim of exile, censorship, and the hatred of a regime that consistently tries to silence his free voice."
Santos criticized those who attack the singer for having differing opinions, advocating for respectful discourse. "It's valid to question and debate his words, but do so with respect. Just because someone thinks differently doesn't mean I should fight with them, especially not with someone like Willy Chirino, who is a legend," he said. He urged for tolerance within the community, adding, "People have lost their minds, and some behave on social media as if they're still in Cuba, unable to respect others' opinions. 'You think like me, or you're my enemy,' and that's problematic."
For Santos, the real adversary is not differing opinions but the oppressive Cuban regime: "Let's not forget that the true enemy of the Cuban people is the Castro dictatorship, not Willy, Osmani, me, or anyone else. Let healthy debate thrive, and may democracy and freedom prevail for Cuba and its political prisoners and all oppressed people."
The controversy erupted after an interview aired on the Enrique Santos Show YouTube channel, where Chirino compared the current migration crisis to the Mariel boatlift and criticized President Joe Biden's policies: "Biden may have deported 700,000, but he let in 21 million people you don't know, perhaps mimicking what Castro did during the Mariel exodus."
In that conversation, Chirino sent a message to immigrants: "Here, you don't come to be lazy and hang out on a corner drinking beer. You come to work. If you work hard and do the right things, you succeed in this country." His remarks drew sharp criticism on social media. Immigration attorney Hernandezglaw accused him on TikTok of aligning with an administration that criminalizes immigrants and of "spreading cheap propaganda." Another user, Vladimir Batista, labeled Chirino a "hypocrite" for allegedly justifying restrictive policies, while Cuban-American officer Sergio Rodríguez Beristain lamented Chirino's apparent forgetfulness of his own immigrant status and questioned his alignment with "racist rhetoric."
Political strategist Sasha Tirador expressed on Instagram that "Trumpism took Willy Chirino away from me," implying that the singer is echoing "Trumpist propaganda" and straying from the values he once represented for exiles. Despite the ongoing controversy, Chirino also acknowledged the essential role immigrants play in the United States, supporting those who work hard and contribute to the nation: "This country has survived, not only because of that but for many reasons, including Latin American immigration taking on simple jobs my parents did when they arrived, jobs nobody else wanted. I've done them too—I washed dishes, I did all those things," he affirmed.
Additionally, he expressed support for those who follow the rules and strive: "Those people who have worked hard, who have come to this country, helped its survival, paid taxes, raised families, and led normal, positive lives, they should not be targeted, and I'm willing to help in the process," he added.
Amid the uproar, Enrique Santos offers a message of unity and respect: "Thinking differently doesn't break affection."
Key Questions About Willy Chirino's Immigration Remarks
What prompted the backlash against Willy Chirino?
Willy Chirino faced backlash after an interview where he compared the current immigration crisis to the Mariel boatlift and criticized President Biden’s policies, which some perceived as aligning with anti-immigrant rhetoric.
How did Enrique Santos respond to the controversy?
Enrique Santos defended Chirino's right to express his views, emphasized respect and constructive dialogue, and urged the community to focus on the real adversary, the Cuban regime, instead of fighting among themselves.
What message did Chirino convey to immigrants in his interview?
Chirino stressed the importance of hard work, saying immigrants should aim to contribute to society and succeed by working diligently and abiding by the rules.