Cuban presenter and activist Alexander Otaola once again called for a "total shutdown" against Havana's regime, arguing that a complete halt in remittances, travel, and aid from abroad could bring down the system in under three months. During his August 1, 2025, program "Hola! Ota-Ola," the influencer urged the Cuban exile community to flood U.S. congressmen and senators with emails and calls, advocating for the cessation of all economic and supply flows to the island.
"Stop the travels, stop the aid, stop the flights, stop the recharges, stop everything... The dictatorship can't sustain itself for three months with everything closed," he declared. He also urged the designation of the Communist Party of Cuba as a "terrorist organization" in Latin America and labeled the Cuban government as a "threat to U.S. national security."
Otaola emphasized that the political moment, marked by the upcoming midterm elections, is ripe for the Cuban community to pressure their federal representatives. He suggested bombarding the offices of figures like María Elvira Salazar, Mario Díaz-Balart, Marco Rubio, and other Florida legislators with thousands of daily messages to support the measure. "It's simple: the majority rules, and politicians listen to the majority," he highlighted.
Background: The "January Shutdown" of 2020
This isn't the first time the presenter has pushed for such actions. In January 2020, Otaola launched the campaign known as the January Shutdown, aiming to reduce remittances, travel, and recharges to Cuba. However, official Cuban media claimed the initiative had no significant impact on transactions. Furthermore, leading companies providing services to Cuba from the U.S., such as Cubamax, VaCuba, Supermarket23, Cuballama, and Fonoma, reported increases in sales and services during that month.
The flow of remittances remained stable or grew, and telephone recharges rose by up to 35%, according to industry figures. Most Cuban emigrants continued to send aid to their families on the island, even amid restrictions imposed by Washington.
The Current Context Differs from 2020
In late July, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla dismissed as "lies" and "provocations" a U.S. State Department report directly blaming the regime for the severe economic and social crisis in the country. Rodríguez accused anti-Cuban sectors of acting "without support" both inside and outside Miami. "The disrespectful and irresponsible publications of the State Department show the frustration of anti-Cuban sectors in their inhumane aggression against the Cuban people," the minister wrote on his official account on X.
In a subsequent post, he accused the United States of encouraging the separation of Cuban families, directly blaming current Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other Cuban-American politicians for toughening immigration policies against island nationals.
Otaola's renewed call for a total halt to remittances, travel, and shipments to Cuba could elicit a significant response from the Cuban exile community, with implications for the regime and for the Cubans trapped in a severe crisis on the island, struggling to survive in extreme poverty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Otaola's Call for Action
What is the "total shutdown" proposed by Alexander Otaola?
The "total shutdown" refers to halting remittances, travel, and aid to Cuba to pressure the regime and potentially bring it down in under three months.
How does Otaola suggest the Cuban exile community take action?
Otaola urges the community to send emails and make calls to U.S. congressmen and senators, advocating for the cessation of economic and supply flows to the island.
What was the impact of the "January Shutdown" in 2020?
The "January Shutdown" reportedly had little impact, with companies reporting increases in sales and services, and remittances and recharges continuing to flow to the island.