Alexis Valdés Calls Out Otaola, Labels Him a "Mercenary"

The public spat between Alexis Valdés and Alex Otaola has escalated once more this week. The Cuban comedian has taken to social media to mock his fellow entertainer, employing his well-known character Cristinito to deliver the jabs. In a video shared on Instagram, Valdés sarcastically referred to Otaola's legal defeats and branded him a "mercenary," likening him to Cubans recruited to fight in Ukraine.

"Coca, man, you lost another case. They're going to take everything from you, even the chicken droppings," Valdés began, dripping with irony. Although he claimed he had chosen not to speak of Otaola anymore because it gives him "a stomachache," he swiftly launched into a series of barbs filled with insults, jokes, and political references.

Valdés accused Otaola of thriving on conflict and jokingly suggested he start "a farm in Ukraine," where he could work as a mercenary alongside many other Cubans. "You fit both categories: you're Cuban and a mercenary. Anything for the money, right?" he quipped, also warning Otaola not to "switch sides" as he did politically, moving from Democrat to Republican.

Cristinito pushed the satire further, imagining how Otaola might win the war against Russia with his insults alone. "No weapons, just offending them: 'Russians, stinky, dirty feet, communist, bread with Russian meat.' Man, that doesn't kill them, but it annoys them. I think the Russians would retreat from the war. They'd say, 'I'm not staying here to put up with this bearded parrot,'" Valdés expressed, mimicking a Russian accent.

The comedian wrapped up his act by sarcastically inviting Otaola to one of his shows, though he noted that all performances were sold out.

A Long-Standing Feud

The clashes between these two are not a recent development. Since 2022, their exchanges have grown increasingly hostile on social media. At that time, Otaola accused Valdés of paying meager wages to artists involved in his television and theater projects.

The influencer claimed he earned just $75 over the years for his appearances as the character Carlos Recto on Mega TV. Valdés refuted these claims, reminding everyone that he was merely an employee of the network, with no control over paychecks. He also criticized Otaola for using his platform to attack and discredit Cuban artists who, despite being critics of the dictatorship, become targets of his insults.

On several occasions, the creator of Cristinito and Nereida has described Otaola's style as harmful, accusing him of dividing the community instead of bringing it together. "Criticizing the dictatorship is one thing; trying to humiliate artists who oppose it, thus giving weapons to the enemy, is another," Valdés once stated.

Conversely, the host of Hola! Ota-Ola maintains that Valdés is mediocre, exploiting colleagues and employees, and asserts that many professionals consider him "ridiculous," although they supposedly don't tell him that to his face.

Beyond the Spotlight

This dispute transcends the realm of entertainment, highlighting the polarization within the Cuban exile community, especially in Miami, where political tensions and personal rivalries often intertwine in public discourse. While Valdés opts for humor as his response, Otaola prefers direct confrontation and personal accusations.

Clearly, this rivalry is far from over, consistently reigniting with fresh episodes. Despite both parties claiming they won't discuss each other again, they inevitably rekindle a feud that keeps their followers divided and the Cuban community eagerly anticipating the next round.