Carlucho Urges: "Rebuilding the Cuban Spirit Comes First"

Esteemed Cuban comedian José Carlos Pérez, widely known as Carlucho, has called upon the Cuban community to engage in introspection. Speaking from Madrid, where he has resided for over a year, Carlucho emphasized that before tackling the physical reconstruction of roads, power plants, or any other infrastructure, what truly needs rebuilding is the Cuban citizenry itself. His remarks were made during an interview with journalist Tania Costa.

"Nobody has considered that the first thing we need to rebuild is the Cuban. The first thing we should teach them is to say good morning, excuse me, ma'am, have a seat, how are you?" Carlucho stated emphatically, pointing to decades of accumulated cultural damage.

Drawing a comparison between past and present generations of Cubans, Carlucho reminisced about "the gentleman who would wear dril 100, even if he owned just one suit, ensuring it was always impeccably pressed," symbolizing a dignity and decorum eroded by the communist regime.

Decency Over Materialism

The comedian challenged the narrative that rebuilding Cuba involves merely importing asphalt, cement, and bricks. "I believe what we need to bring back is a sense of decency," he remarked, urging a reevaluation of priorities for a post-dictatorship Cuba.

Carlucho argues that the moral reconstruction of the nation is more pressing than material needs. "We must teach Cubans that stealing is not necessary to live. We must show them there's a way to survive with respect, honesty, and dignity," he insisted.

A Call for Educational Reform

His critique is both harsh and unambiguous: "We are a triumphant, grand, and respectful race. No one has harmed us more than this dictatorship."

One of the most poignant parts of his reflection centered on Cuba's youth. Carlucho expressed disdain for viral videos showcasing the ignorance of Cuban teenagers. "It’s embarrassing that we can’t ask a 16-year-old when the first or second world war started... They know absolutely nothing," he lamented.

Carlucho directly blamed the regime for this educational decay. "That is the responsibility of this government, which has altered Martí's history," he declared.

The educational crisis in Cuba is well-documented, with teacher shortages and classes canceled due to power outages. This is compounded by a system that has prioritized political indoctrination over substantive knowledge for decades.

Societal Decline Reflected in Youth

The decline extends beyond the classroom. Carlucho recounted a personal experience where, after his weight loss surgery, a young person derogatorily referred to him as "tank," exemplifying the coarse language and loss of respect prevalent among today’s Cuban youth.

This phenomenon is part of a larger trend of disturbing online content featuring Cuban youth, reflecting the anthropological damage wrought by over 67 years of totalitarian control.

The interview comes as Carlucho is busy with numerous professional engagements in Spain. Notably, he is set to perform on May 3 at the Teatro Las Vegas in Madrid alongside Robertico, his former partner from the comedy group Los Bufomaníacos, marking their first collaboration in 25 years. The conversation also touched on the controversy with presenter Carlos Otero, who publicly stated he would never work with Carlucho again.

"I believe we need to save our nation first, and then we can build those roads and streets. We must first save our fellow countrymen," Carlucho concluded.