The host of the pro-government show Con Filo, Michel Torres Corona, has publicly called for the release of young Holguín residents Kamil Zayas Pérez and Ernesto Ricardo Medina, creators of the El4tico audiovisual project, who were recently detained by the authorities.
During the latest broadcast of his television program, Torres Corona acknowledged that, in his opinion, "they should be released," though not because they are innocent or undeserving of incarceration.
"These are two young men who, who knows what's in their heads," he remarked disdainfully.
The presenter discussed the arrest of the two influencers, who he believes have taken on "a sort of digital counter-revolutionary leadership" that has a greater impact online than in reality.
He noted that a habeas corpus petition has been filed with the court and that the Holguín prosecutor's office is yet to take action.
Torres Corona framed his view within the official discourse of the "Rule of Law," asserting that the judicial system will determine the young men's fate, with rights to defense and judicial oversight.
However, his condescending attitude towards the detainees shifted when he reverted to the regime's hardline stance, emphasizing that supporting Donald Trump or calling for a military intervention in Cuba is "an act of treason" that should be met with the full severity of Cuban law.
He further defended the narrative of Cuba as a "besieged fortress" in a perpetual state of war.
"We will not hesitate... when it comes to defending socialism in Cuba and our national sovereignty by any means. The little room (referring to El4tico) remains unchanged, no matter how bad things get," he said.
The host also criticized other content creators who are critical of the system, accusing them of downplaying the impact of the U.S. embargo.
"These young evangelicals... have echoed the worst and most outdated anti-communist propaganda, refusing to accept what is practically indisputable for those who want the world," he stated.
"It's insulting that, out of ignorance or other interests, they try to minimize this genocidal act... And certainly, don't believe what the evangelicals with their Trumpist hats say, who are more reactionary than Telemundo, even," he added.
Torres Corona's comments come amid mounting national and international pressure over the detention of Zayas and Medina.
The U.S. State Department publicly condemned the arrests, stating that "the illegitimate Cuban regime continues its daily acts of repression and abuse" and that the two young men were detained "simply for denouncing the dictatorship's economic mismanagement."
El4tico is a dissident platform that emerged in Holguín, where its creators challenge power from a small room turned studio, combining analysis and sociopolitical critiques of Cuban reality.
With thousands of online followers, it has become one of the most visible alternative projects on the island.
Their detention took place during a police raid in which agents seized computers, phones, cameras, and other equipment used to document their work.
According to the platform Ciudadanía y Libertad, both were transferred to Holguín's Penal Instruction headquarters, known as "Todo el mundo canta," a center cited for violent interrogation practices and degrading treatment.
Activist Yanet Rodríguez Sánchez filed a habeas corpus petition with the Provincial Court of Holguín, demanding the court request official information about the young men's exact whereabouts, formal charges, case file number, and the conditions of their detention.
In parallel, a wave of solidarity has erupted under the hashtag #TodosSomosEl4tico.
Public figures like Luis Alberto García and Ulises Toirac have called for the respect of Zayas and Medina's human rights and their release.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba has also demanded their immediate release.
This occurs against a national backdrop characterized by power outages, inflation, mass migration, and deep social discontent.
In this environment, any voice questioning the system is seen as a security threat rather than a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression.
Key Questions about the Arrest of El4tico Creators
Why were Kamil Zayas Pérez and Ernesto Ricardo Medina detained?
They were detained for their involvement in the El4tico project, which challenges the Cuban regime by criticizing its economic management and promoting counter-revolutionary ideas online.
What is the significance of El4tico in Cuba?
El4tico is a prominent dissident platform in Holguín known for its critical analysis and sociopolitical critiques of the Cuban government, gaining significant online following and visibility.
How has the international community reacted to the arrests?
The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Cuba have publicly condemned the arrests, highlighting them as part of the Cuban regime's ongoing repression and abuses.