Cuban-American activist Carlos Lazo, head of the organization ‘Puentes de Amor’, has reemerged in the Cuban public sphere by donating a new shipment of five thousand pounds of powdered milk from the United States to the Holguín province, according to the Cuban Airports and Airport Services Company (ECASA) on the social media platform X.
This shipment, intended for pediatric hospitals and those affected in eastern Cuba, signifies a new phase in Lazo's fluctuating relationship with the Havana regime. The charitable act has been applauded by official institutions, which had recently maintained a tense and evident silence regarding the Seattle-based professor.
Past Clashes and Renewed Ties
In 2024, Lazo had several disputes with Cuban authorities after he accused the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) of obstructing his ability to directly distribute donations to hospitals and orphanages, citing bureaucratic hurdles and "mysterious regulations."
These unusually critical remarks from someone historically close to the government caused discomfort for the powerful minister José Ángel Portal Miranda—whom Miguel Díaz-Canel retains despite the country's epidemiological crisis and healthcare system collapse—and among the power structures that had previously hailed him as a symbol of the "patriotic exile" advocating for the embargo's removal.
Strategic Reconciliation and Propaganda
Despite this brief estrangement, the ‘Puentes de Amor’ leader has resumed his typical narrative of portraying victimhood against the "U.S. blockade" while supporting the regime's rhetoric, coinciding with the resumption of his humanitarian shipments.
On social media, government supporters and official media outlets have hailed the recent delivery as a demonstration of "solidarity and love," without mentioning previous conflicts or the restrictions imposed by the Cuban authorities themselves.
Connections and Influences
Lazo's closeness with figures such as the troubadour Israel Rojas, leader of the duo Buena Fe, or Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, a spy convicted in the United States and current coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), has bolstered his image as an unofficial spokesperson and lobbyist for the dictatorship. He appears more interested in supporting Havana's narrative than in denouncing the repression and poverty faced by the Cuban people.
His return to institutional favor, after months of apparent disillusionment, underscores the political back-and-forth that characterizes his relationship with the regime: a cycle of minor tensions followed by strategic reconciliations, where ‘Puentes de Amor’ serves both as official propaganda and as a means to sanitize the humanitarian image of a system that continues to block internal aid and punish dissent.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carlos Lazo's Involvement in Cuba
What is the purpose of Carlos Lazo's recent donation to Cuba?
The purpose of Carlos Lazo's recent donation of powdered milk is to support pediatric hospitals and individuals affected in eastern Cuba.
How has Carlos Lazo's relationship with the Cuban regime changed over time?
Carlos Lazo's relationship with the Cuban regime has been characterized by fluctuations, involving periods of tension and strategic reconciliations.
Who are some of Carlos Lazo's notable connections in Cuba?
Carlos Lazo is connected with prominent figures like troubadour Israel Rojas and Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, which reinforces his role as a pro-regime spokesperson.