Cuban actress and influencer Ángela Lemus has issued a stark warning to Mexicans in a viral Instagram video that has amassed over 1.5 million views in just a few days.
Her message is direct: "Mexicans, open your eyes. I'm Cuban and I'm concerned about Mexico and its people."
Lemus draws a comparison between the promises of "free aid" that marked the start of the Cuban revolution and the social programs currently promoted by Claudia Sheinbaum's government. Her message is clear and unequivocal: "When the government gives you something, it doesn't come from its own pocket; it's taken from what the people produce. Nothing is free."
She reminds viewers of how Cubans once warned Venezuelans before it was too late. "We told them, 'Be careful, we've been down that road.' They didn't believe us, and look at Venezuela now."
The method of control, she claims, remains the same: "When people start feeling indebted to politicians for what they receive, it becomes easier to buy their vote, their silence, and their freedom. And they know this."
Signs of Concern in Mexico
Lemus points out warning signs in Mexico, such as the increasing pressure on journalists and media, leading to growing concerns over freedom of expression.
She also criticizes Sheinbaum's ties with Havana. "A regime that has gone decades without a free press, oppressing its people, forcing them to emigrate. It holds political prisoners, violating all human rights. Cubans are suffering hunger and misery in a country so rich in resources, yet it has been driven into squalor."
She poses a direct question to Mexicans: "Is that what you want for Mexico?"
The actress concludes her message with the same phrase she began with, now serving as a powerful conclusion: "Mexicans, open your eyes, because Cuba also thought everything was free, and now we know the true cost."
This isn't the first time Lemus has used social media to speak out against the regime's repression. Last April, she posted another viral video depicting an interrogation by Cuban State Security, delivering the ultimatum: "Leave the country or be jailed."
Key Takeaways from Ángela Lemus' Warning
What concerns does Ángela Lemus have about Mexico?
Lemus is worried about the parallels between Cuba's past and current policies in Mexico, particularly regarding social programs and the potential erosion of freedom of expression.
How does Lemus view the relationship between Sheinbaum and Havana?
Lemus criticizes the connection, pointing out Cuba's long history of oppression, lack of free press, and human rights violations, arguing that such a relationship could have negative implications for Mexico.