The Cuban actress Claudia Valdés has taken to social media to share a poignant and heartfelt message detailing her anguish over the dire situation in Cuba, characterized by frequent power outages, shortages, and a lack of freedoms.
“Claudita, I got the little electric generator,” began the emotional recounting of a phone call from her grandmother on the island. Valdés described the celebration of this news as “the greatest joy in the world,” as if an electric generator were a gold bar—a luxury beyond compare—while in reality, it's not even a basic necessity.
Valdés admitted that this conversation deeply affected her: “Receiving that call filled me with such sadness.” She clarified that her reflection emerges not from opportunism but from personal experience. “I don't speak from hysteria, or trend, or collective pressure. I speak from genuine pain,” she remarked.
The actress also critiqued the dynamics of social media and the pressure to constantly express opinions: “Lately, I feel social media has created a sort of obligation to speak out. As if silence automatically labels you. As if not posting means you don't feel.” Nevertheless, she acknowledged that certain issues cannot be silenced or ignored.
Having lived outside of Cuba for 18 years, Valdés recounted that much of her life has been built in another country, where her daughter was born, while her grandmother remains on the island "enduring, suffering, and facing numerous hardships." She expressed, “Every time I step foot in Cuba, all I can think about is running to hug my grandmother... And I will keep doing so as long as God allows her to live. I will continue sending her everything she needs. Not as a clarification, but as a truth.”
In her message, Valdés expressed outrage over the conditions in Cuba: “I feel such anger, confusion, and sorrow for the situation my country is subjected to by a regime that further sinks its people with every passing second. Its children...”
She also articulated her hopes for Cuba's future: “I want people to live with dignity. That having electricity isn't a celebration. That basic necessities are just that: basic. That no one has to be grateful for the bare minimum.”
Valdés called for freedom: “And to know freedom. The freedom of which for many years we have only known the word, not the meaning.” She added in another part of her text, “I know reality is perceived differently, depending on one's perspective… but what is evidently common to everyone is the inconceivable situation in Cuba.”
The actress concluded with a wish encapsulating the essence of her message: “I only hope to see the day when an electric generator and some petty purchases aren't the greatest gifts a person can receive. And that the most basic right a human has, which is freedom of expression, isn't a gift but a right and a duty.”
Her message was accompanied by an image demanding the freedom of “El 4Tico” and all political prisoners in Cuba, emphasizing that freedom of expression is not a crime.
Understanding Claudia Valdés' Perspective on Cuba's Crisis
What prompted Claudia Valdés to share her message about Cuba?
Claudia Valdés was prompted to share her message following an emotional phone call from her grandmother in Cuba, which highlighted the struggles faced by the Cuban people due to power outages and shortages.
How does Claudia Valdés view the role of social media in discussing Cuba's situation?
Claudia Valdés criticizes the pressure social media places on individuals to constantly express opinions, suggesting that silence often leads to misinterpretation, though some issues demand attention and cannot be ignored.
What are Claudia Valdés' hopes for the future of Cuba?
Claudia Valdés hopes for a future where Cubans can live with dignity, where basic necessities are provided without celebration, and where freedom of expression is recognized as a fundamental right.