Lázaro Bruzón's Mother Faces Harassment in Cuba Due to Chess Grandmaster's Political Stance

Chess Grandmaster Lázaro Bruzón recently broke his silence on social media to reveal that his mother experienced harassment at a store in Las Tunas by an individual who blamed her for the political views her son expresses from exile.

Living in the United States since 2018, Bruzón hadn't spoken out about the situation in Cuba for some time, but the incident involving his mother compelled him to speak up.

“My mom went to a store in Las Tunas and was treated poorly and scolded by someone because of the political comments made by her son,” Bruzón shared in a Facebook post.

The chess player described the incident as "incredible," highlighting the irony that his political activism once caused tensions with his mother because she didn't share his views. Now, she faces social punishment because of his stance.

Las Tunas: A Hub of Informants

Bruzón did not hold back in describing the atmosphere in his home province: “Las Tunas has always been a leader in informants and zealots, and I have consistently received most of the attacks from there.”

He also addressed those who might interpret his recent absence from social media as a change in stance: “Just because I haven’t spoken on the subject for a few days doesn’t mean anything has changed within me.”

Reflections on Cuba's Crisis

Bruzón used the post to delve into the broader crisis affecting his homeland: “Cuba’s situation is a kind of karma we are paying as a nation, and until the vast majority of Cubans understand that the root of all issues lies in the failed system established in 1959, everything else is just a consequence.”

He reiterated his decision not to return to Cuba while communism remains in power: “I’ve decided never to set foot in Cuba until it is free from communism. Each day, I detest that system and its defenders more.”

He concluded his message with a definitive statement: “Even if I’m the only one saying it, I’ll keep declaring: down with the criminal dictatorship that has destroyed the Cuban nation.”

A Voice Against the Regime

Bruzón, a nine-time national champion and one of the top chess players in Latin America over the past decades, remains one of the most prominent voices in exile critical of the dictatorship.

In July, marking eight years in the United States, he described the country as the model for what he wishes for a future Cuba: functional institutions, genuine opportunities, and respect for freedom.

At the end of June, he labeled Díaz-Canel as representing "evil, failure, burden," following the leader’s defense of the 176 economic transformations approved by the Communist Party, the National Assembly, and the Council of Ministers.

Days earlier, he criticized the regime’s “cyber fighters,” accusing them of hiding behind screens and using “insults as their only argument.” “Free Cubans speak from real profiles,” he asserted at the time.