Ada Galano, head of the National Coordinator of Cuban Residents in Italy (CONACI) and previously known for requesting AKM rifles to defend the Cuban government, has now shared a message of "friendship and gratitude" on social media, a stark contrast to her earlier aggressive rhetoric.
Her Facebook post, dramatically titled "THANK YOU FRIENDS BECAUSE TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE," surfaced shortly after her prior comments to Miguel Díaz-Canel sparked widespread criticism on social media, a viral satirical song, and video responses from Cubans living in Italy.
Just days earlier during an official meeting with Díaz-Canel at the Havana Convention Palace, Galano had proclaimed: "Keep our AKMs ready because today we come with medicine, but tomorrow we might come for our AKM if necessary."
In a live broadcast that same day, she also declared: "If bombs come and I have to die here in my homeland defending it, welcome death," adding, "I will join my people and request my rifle too."
In her latest post, however, Galano quotes a poet: "As the poet said, today I want to thank you because tomorrow may be too late," describing her friends as "simply men and women of these times living from their work, some more fortunate than others, but with a great quality that is almost extinct today... they remain human and have a big heart."
The message notably lacks any mention of her prior comments on weapons or any attempt to clarify her controversial stance.
Public Outcry and Satirical Responses
The backlash to her previous statements was swift and widespread. Plácido Ferreiro Romero, a Cuban originally from Guantánamo now residing in Miami, composed a satirical song that garnered nearly 400,000 views on Facebook.
Anabel Hernández, a Cuban living in Italy, criticized Galano in a video for staying in a hotel with 24-hour electricity, managed by GAESA, the Cuban military conglomerate, while other Cubans endure power outages exceeding twenty hours daily. She also questioned Galano's expenditure of over a thousand euros weekly on accommodations.
Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis Highlighted
Galano was part of the "Nuestra América" convoy, organized by the Progressive International, which assembled between 500 and 650 participants from around thirty countries—including figures like Pablo Iglesias and Jeremy Corbyn—and delivered over twenty tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba.
The initiative faced significant criticism for its political nature and the stark contrast between the privileged treatment of its members and the severe crisis faced by the Cuban populace, marked by extensive power outages, food shortages, and public transport collapse.
Galano's post concludes with a dedication: "In these lands, distant and sometimes strange to us but which offer us hospitality, you are my family, the family born of chance and called friends."
Frequently Asked Questions about Ada Galano's Recent Statements
What was Ada Galano's previous stance regarding AKM rifles?
Ada Galano previously called for AKM rifles to defend the Cuban regime, expressing a willingness to resort to arms if necessary.
How did the public react to Galano's statements?
The public response was overwhelmingly negative, with widespread criticism, a viral satirical song, and video responses from Cubans in Italy.
What is the "Nuestra América" convoy?
The "Nuestra América" convoy, organized by Progressive International, involved participants from various countries delivering humanitarian aid to Cuba.