A video featuring Yusuam Palacios, a deputy in the Cuban National Assembly and director of the Fragua Martiana Museum, has become the subject of widespread mockery on social media. The ridicule followed his speech at the V International Patria Colloquium, held in Havana from April 16 to 18.
The clip, shared on Facebook by Lázaro Torres Delgado, captures Palacios speaking for just over a minute about the concept of "Patria" using quotes from José Martí. His speech was labeled as grandiose, empty, and incomprehensible by many online users.
In his remarks, Palacios characterized the event as a "community of interests, a unity of purposes, a sweet and consoling fusion of loves and hopes," adding that "patria is humanity, the portion of humanity where we were born and see most closely."
Public Reaction and Satire
The response in the comments section was swift and decisive. The most common question echoed in various forms was, "What did he say?" and "I didn't understand anything," with many comparing him to Cantinflas, the Mexican comedian known for his verbose yet nonsensical speeches.
Some took a more creative approach to the satire. "Translated: because practice is practice and without practice, there is no practice," one user quipped. Another coined the term "Yusuañol" to describe his manner of speaking: "But please... what did he mean... it's like he spoke in Yusuañol."
A comment summarized the sentiment of many: "He spent most of his life learning words to speak well and skipped the ethics class."
Political Frustration and Criticism
Beyond the mockery of his rhetorical style, numerous comments highlighted the political frustration of Cubans with official discourse. "Children of the nation dying of hunger, political prisoners, four million have migrated in the last five years, persecution, lack of democracy," one user wrote. Another pointed out: "They don't talk about what they should: potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, while the Cuban people are starving."
Several commenters recalled Palacios's previous praise for former Labor Minister Marta Elena Feitó, who claimed there are no beggars in Cuba. "This is the one who praised the minister of beggars," one user noted. Another described him as a "deputy for a town he doesn't even know," referring to his representation of Sagua de Tánamo, Holguín.
One lengthy comment was direct in its political critique: "Martí was anti-communist, and if he were alive today, he would certainly be anti-Castro. Fill yourselves with honor, and perhaps history will forgive your lack of values."
Background and Historical Context
The V International Patria Colloquium gathered 154 participants from 23 countries and was dedicated to the centenary of Fidel Castro and the 65th anniversary of Playa Girón. Díaz-Canel presided over its closing on April 18.
Palacios, who led the Martiano Youth Movement for 12 years until his ousting in January 2023, has a long history of controversial statements on social media. He has called athletes who leave the national team cowards and labeled participants in exile protests in Miami as mercenaries and vermin. The irony wasn't lost on users: his successor in the Martiano Youth Movement sought political asylum in the United States in January 2025.
Understanding the Yusuam Palacios Controversy
What sparked the mockery of Yusuam Palacios's speech?
Yusuam Palacios's speech at the V International Patria Colloquium was mocked for being grandiose, empty, and difficult to understand, leading many users to compare him to the comedian Cantinflas.
How did social media users respond to Palacios's remarks?
Social media users responded with swift criticism, mocking his speech and labeling it as incomprehensible. Many used humor and satire to express their discontent.
What broader political issues were highlighted by the comments on Palacios's speech?
The comments reflected broader political frustrations, including issues like hunger, political prisoners, mass migration, and a lack of democracy in Cuba.