Upon returning to Havana from an official tour alongside her husband, Cuba's appointed leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta Peraza, unofficially dubbed the nation's first lady, sparked outrage with a social media post. "Back to the Homeland. We've just landed. Nothing compares to the excitement of arriving at this rebellious and beautiful Island," Cuesta shared on X.
Rather than eliciting warmth, her enthusiastic tone drew immediate backlash from many Cubans, who saw it as indicative of her disconnect from the country's harsh realities. Dubbed "the tourist" sarcastically by one user, Cuesta also faced direct criticism: "What nerve you have, lady!" Others mocked her about the incessant power outages: "Now you'll face the anxiety of the blackouts, what grid are you on?"
The outcry escalated to harsher expressions, reflecting widespread frustration: "Even you don't believe that," one user commented, while another angrily remarked, "Too bad that plane didn't crash."
Perpetually Under Fire
Cuesta's actions frequently stir controversy. Just a day prior, on the Day of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, she posted another message on X: "Let's thank the Virgin of El Cobre, Cuba's Patroness, for watching over all of us, her children." Amid mass power outages and the tragic death of a thermoelectric plant worker in Santiago de Cuba, this message was seen by many as a cynical and opportunistic use of religious imagery.
"The Virgin protects us from you," one user remarked, while another was more blunt: "Stop manipulating people's faith. The Virgin stands with the suffering, not with those who mock them."
Though not officially the first lady, Cuesta's presence at state functions, diplomatic journeys, and in state media has made her a symbol of the Cuban elite's privileges—air-conditioned flights, branded clothing, and red carpets—starkly contrasting the hardships faced by millions on the island.
"While she travels in air-conditioned planes, the people cook with firewood and sleep without power," an indignant user highlighted. The stark disparity between her lifestyle of travel and the daily deprivation in Cuba fuels the outrage. Her attempts to sound empathetic or heartfelt are often perceived as insults by those enduring long queues, unbearable heat without electricity, and barely scraping by.
Lingering Discontent
Lis Cuesta's history of controversial remarks is well-documented. In 2022, during another wave of blackouts, she wrote about having "a heart in rag mode," which many Cubans saw as a mockery of their struggles to preserve food and access essentials. Her recent posts follow a similar pattern, perceived attempts at empathy that instead provoke a torrent of criticism, ridicule, and public disdain. Cuesta has become one of the most controversial and least popular figures in Cuba's public sphere.
The Controversy Surrounding Lis Cuesta's Public Image
Why did Lis Cuesta's message cause outrage among Cubans?
Lis Cuesta's enthusiastic tone in her message was seen as disconnected from the harsh realities faced by many Cubans, such as power outages and economic hardships, prompting backlash for her perceived insensitivity.
How has Lis Cuesta been viewed in the context of Cuban society?
Lis Cuesta is often seen as a symbol of the Cuban elite's privileges, contrasting sharply with the everyday struggles of ordinary Cubans, leading to widespread criticism and controversy surrounding her public persona.