Recent comments by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, urging the United States to "let Cubans live their lives," have sparked a wave of anger among Cuban citizens both on and off the island. On social media, many have criticized Lula's statements as dismissive of the harsh realities faced by the Cuban people and disrespectful to those who have endured decades of scarcity, repression, and poverty.
"What life?" ask numerous voices who reacted with frustration and discontent to Lula's speech. The Brazilian leader had attributed Cuba's shortages to the U.S. embargo, calling for respect for a government he claims is a victim of unjust sanctions. However, countless Cubans have made it clear that their discontent lies not with Washington but with those who have governed them for over sixty years.
"Those whom Lula wants respected are the same people who have stolen our lives," remarked one reader. "They live in mansions, with air conditioning and guaranteed food. Meanwhile, the people survive without milk, without medicine, without electricity, and scavenging for food." Another person voiced, "Please tell Lula that what we don't have is life. The life is being taken by those who lead us. I've been waiting 62 years for a better day."
Survival, Not Living: A Common Cuban Narrative
Expressions like "This is not living," "we are dying alive," and "living without dignity is not living" dominate the comments responding to the Brazilian president's remarks. Many pointed out that if Lula wants to discuss rights, he should first demand from his "friends" in Havana that Cubans be allowed to determine their own future. "Ask Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro to let the people live," wrote several users.
Some described Lula's comments as a complicit defense of the Cuban regime. "You are defending those who have condemned an entire nation to misery," said one user. Another argued, "What Cuba needs is not the lifting of sanctions, but the lifting of repression."
Several comments accused Latin American leaders like Lula, who visit Cuba on official trips, of only seeing the façade presented to them. "If he had walked through Centro Habana, if he had spoken to a mother who cannot feed her children, he wouldn't dare talk about life," one comment noted.
Meanwhile, the Cuban people's demand remains unchanged: a dignified life with freedom, rights, and the opportunity to build a future free from the control of an entrenched elite. "The dictatorship is what needs to let us live. We don't need speeches from afar; we need actions that restore our hope."
Understanding the Cuban Perspective on Freedom and Rights
Why are Cubans frustrated with Lula da Silva's remarks?
Cubans are frustrated because they feel Lula da Silva's remarks ignore their difficult living conditions and the repression they face under their government, instead blaming the U.S. embargo.
What do Cubans want from their government?
Cubans are calling for a dignified life with freedom, rights, and the ability to build a future independent of the ruling elite's control.
How do Cubans view the U.S. embargo?
While the U.S. embargo is often cited as a reason for Cuba's economic woes, many Cubans place the blame on their own government's long-standing mismanagement and repression.