"José Martí never experienced electric light and yet he was a genius," remarked official journalist Arleen Rodríguez Derivet during an interview with former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. Intended as a justification for Cuba's power outages, her statement quickly became the week's running joke.
This segment, initially recorded last November for the RT en Español program Conversa con Correa, has resurfaced on social media just as Cuba faces power cuts exceeding 40 consecutive hours in some provinces.
Amidst candles and sarcasm, social media users turned the spotlight onto the official spokesperson, collectively mocking her historical blunder.
In the video, Rodríguez attempts to downplay the energy crisis by claiming that the "Apostle" never knew of electric light and whimsically adds that she wishes she could "write a line like him, and with the lights on."
Correa, visibly taken aback, interrupts with a pointed comment: "But Arleen, we're in the 21st century." His expression—a mix of disbelief and resignation—echoed the sentiments of many Cubans.
From Facebook to X, Cubans responded with memes to the interview. Psychologist Reybi Sarmiento was direct: "Someone should inform the journalist that Martí not only knew electric light, he also wrote about it."
Martí lived in New York from 1880 to 1895, during the inauguration of Manhattan's first power station. In his chronicles, the Cuban celebrated this luminous revolution with his characteristic blend of scientific curiosity and poetic imagery.
Rodríguez’s attempt to make the Apostle a symbol of enduring hardship backfired, as her words were met with laughter at her ignorance.
This time, neither the power outages nor the ideological rhetoric could overshadow the irony of the moment. The journalist defended darkness in the name of a man who cherished light.
Readers themselves revealed the truth, using political humor and an endless wave of memes. Social media didn’t forgive. Images circulated of Martí dedicating simple verses to Arleen and even of the journalist with a lantern, attempting to read the Master's works.
In the midst of the national gloom, Cubans found a way to flood the networks with the energy of laughter and humor.
No matter how much the regime tries to justify the blackouts, there will always be someone to shed light with common sense... even if it’s through sarcasm.
Understanding the Reaction to Arleen Rodríguez's Statements
Why did Arleen Rodríguez's comment about Martí spark criticism?
Her statement was criticized because it inaccurately depicted Martí’s historical context, ignoring that he lived during the advent of electric light and even wrote about it. This oversight, coupled with the critical energy situation in Cuba, made her comments seem out of touch.
How did social media users respond to Arleen Rodríguez's remarks?
Social media users responded with an outpouring of memes and humorous posts, mocking Rodríguez's comments and highlighting the historical inaccuracy. This collective reaction underscored the public's dissatisfaction with both the energy crisis and the official narrative.
What was Rafael Correa's reaction during the interview?
Rafael Correa appeared surprised and interrupted Rodríguez with a remark that highlighted the absurdity of comparing past and present contexts, emphasizing the technological advancements of the 21st century.