Cuban model and influencer Lisandra Silva created a poignant moment on the Chilean reality show "Vecinos al límite" on Canal 13 by discussing the significance of a painting representing Cuba with the slogan "Patria y Vida." Her message was both political and personal, resonating deeply with the Cuban community.
In an Instagram reel, Silva explained to the program's audience the meaning behind the artwork: "This painting represents my beautiful country, Cuba, the land where I was born. And it’s a country that pains me deeply."
Having left Havana at 18, Silva openly rejected the Cuban regime's official slogan "Patria o Muerte," favoring the artistically inspired motto: "Today, we cancel the death, and there's a new slogan, 'Patria y Vida,' because we no longer want to die of hunger, of suffering, of oppression. We want to live."
"To me, 'Patria y Vida' speaks of a Cuba that we want to keep alive. A Cuba where loving our land also means being able to dream, express ourselves, grow, and live freely," she emphasized.
Lisandra highlighted the importance of her platform: "Through art, I now have the opportunity to be a spokesperson for an entire country crying out for help, for a new life."
The moment also carried heavy emotional weight. Her father, Carlos Silva Sánchez, passed away at 77 on July 18, just weeks before she joined the show. "He was very ill, he didn't get to see it, but I know he’s watching from heaven," she wrote in the post accompanying the video.
Emotionally moved in front of the cameras, she tearfully addressed him directly: "I love you, Dad. I love you so much, Dad. I miss you a lot."
On Instagram, Lisandra dedicated the painting to both her father and all Cubans fighting for freedom: "Dad, I am deeply proud of you, of our roots, and everything you taught me. I love you and miss you every day. This painting is also yours."
The song "Patria y Vida," released in February 2021 by Yotuel Romero, Gente de Zona, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo, and El Funky, turns the regime's official slogan on its head and became the anthem of the July 11, 2021 protests, the largest popular demonstrations in Cuba in decades. Maykel Osorbo was imprisoned by the regime that same year.
Key Questions on Lisandra Silva's Message for Cuba
What message did Lisandra Silva convey on the reality show?
Lisandra Silva conveyed a heartfelt message calling for Cuba's freedom and embraced the slogan "Patria y Vida," rejecting the regime's official motto "Patria o Muerte."
Why was the moment significant for Lisandra Silva?
The moment was significant because it allowed her to express personal and political sentiments, highlighting her role as a spokesperson for Cuban freedom while also paying tribute to her late father.
What is the significance of the song "Patria y Vida"?
The song "Patria y Vida" became an anthem for freedom and protest in Cuba, symbolizing resistance against the regime and inspiring the largest demonstrations in decades.