In a powerful video shared on social media, Mireya Jiménez, a Cuban activist residing in La Media Legua, Trinidad, fiercely criticized Miguel Díaz-Canel. She accused him of turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Cuban people while expressing solidarity with Palestine.
"Look, I'm Cuban. Don't make me show you a video of my house right now. But look at how water runs through the streets of Cuba. We Cubans don't have water; I don't have water at my house," Jiménez declared. She emphasized that her words were not a plea for help but a denunciation of the situation. "How can you defend the Palestinians, who are also shameless, while ignoring your own people? You dog," she added.
Life in Cuba: A Dire Reality
Jiménez painted a bleak picture of life on the island, urging the leaders to step down. "Leave us Cubans alone. We don't even want a single peso of all you've stolen. Take your millions, buy an island," she urged. She also touched on a recent incident involving a fetus found in Trinidad, explaining, "The girl who discarded the fetus here in Trinidad did it because people are driven crazy. That's why I don't judge her, because mothers are desperate with nothing to offer their children."
She condemned the institutional neglect, oppression, and worsening conditions: "And yet you defend the Palestinians... Cuban children are worse off than Palestinian children. Palestine is in a war staged by Israel, Iran, and others. Don't defend the indefensible." Jiménez continued, "Then we're the bad ones... No, you're the villain, the Castros are villains, you all are. Down with communism. I'm done talking, my blood pressure is high and I feel unwell. They even broke my TV. This is Trinidad. Look at the streets, look. I don't speak nonsense, I speak the truth and I prove it."
A Call for Justice and Freedom
The activist demanded freedom for all political prisoners and denounced the regime's abuses, calling for sanctions against those she sees as accomplices. "Just like those reggaeton artists, deport them to Cuba, deport them both. Enough is enough. Jail everyone, put them in prison. Down with communism, down with the dictatorship, down with the Castros, and down with you, Canel." Shortly after, Jiménez released another video addressing criticisms over her comments about the fetus. "I'm not God, I'm not a prosecutor, I'm not a judge... the environment in Cuba is driving mothers crazy, causing these things."
Directly blaming the regime, she stated, "This is brought upon by the murderous dictatorship... the Castros are murderers, Canel is a murderer," and she called for the release of political prisoner Lisandra Góngora: "Far from being a murderer, she is a woman fighting for the freedom of her people, for all Cuban children. Freedom, damn it, homeland life and freedom, down with the Castro bastards, down with you, Canel."
Mireya Jiménez has been a persistent voice of protest from Trinidad. In April 2023, she reported a burglary at her home, describing it as an act of retribution: "This was orchestrated... they took the TV and the DVD... they only took what they thought would bother me the most." In August of the same year, she underwent breast cancer surgery. Despite this, she continues to post videos critical of the regime and the country's dire situation.
Her statements align with recent public appearances by Díaz-Canel, who has been celebrating the "iron friendship" with China and congratulating leaders of other nations, all while avoiding addressing the national crisis. Tragically, three people lost their lives due to building collapses in Santiago de Cuba and Havana, with no acknowledgment from the president about the victims.
Key Questions on Cuba's Current Crisis
Why did Mireya Jiménez criticize Díaz-Canel?
Mireya Jiménez criticized Díaz-Canel for ignoring the hardships faced by Cubans while expressing support for Palestine. She accused him of failing to address the dire living conditions on the island.
What recent events did Jiménez highlight in her criticism?
Jiménez highlighted the recent discovery of a fetus in Trinidad, which she linked to the desperation of mothers due to the lack of resources. She also mentioned the deaths from building collapses in Santiago de Cuba and Havana.
How has Mireya Jiménez been a voice of protest in Cuba?
Mireya Jiménez has been outspoken against the Cuban regime, using social media to share videos criticizing the government's actions and highlighting the struggles faced by ordinary Cubans.