A 23-year-old Cuban woman known only as Angie created an unprecedented moment on French television by directly confronting Fabien Roussel, the National Secretary of the French Communist Party (PCF) and a candidate for the 2027 presidential elections, over his public support for Miguel Díaz-Canel.
This confrontation took place on September 9 during the "La Grande Confrontation" program on the LCI network, hosted by David Pujadas.
Face-to-Face on "La Grande Confrontation"
"La Grande Confrontation" is a prominent platform for political and social debate on the French LCI channel, part of the TF1 Group. Led by journalist David Pujadas and aired during prime time, the show allows political figures to engage directly with citizens, experts, and other guests on current issues.
A distinctive feature of the show is its face-to-face interaction, giving citizens from diverse backgrounds the chance to challenge and debate leaders and candidates without intermediaries.
Confrontation and Viral Impact
During the program, Angie posed a blunt question to Roussel: "Aren't you ashamed to support a dictator?" This referred to a supportive message Roussel had sent to Díaz-Canel in January 2026. The exchange was captured and broadcast by Yann Barthès' show "Quotidien," amassing over 672,000 views on Facebook.
Roussel dodged the question, stating he had "the opportunity to meet with the President of the Cuban Republic to speak with him," carefully avoiding the term "dictator." Angie persisted, gently correcting him with "Dictator" as Roussel spoke the word "President."
Direct Questioning and Political Stance
The presenter, Pujadas, directly asked Roussel whether he considered Díaz-Canel a president or a dictator. Roussel insisted on calling him "President of the Republic," to which Angie emphatically responded, "He's a dictator; no one elected him."
Pujadas further noted Roussel's evasiveness, as reported by Le Figaro. To conclude the exchange, Roussel claimed he would never endorse violations of freedoms "in any country, whether Cuba or elsewhere," a statement that journalist Jean-Michel Aphatie described as an "XXL lie" in his review of "Quotidien."
History of PCF's Support for Cuba
Aphatie highlighted the PCF's longstanding support for the Cuban regime since the revolution's inception on January 1, 1959, with Roussel remaining true to this tradition. He also underscored the moment's uniqueness, noting that "never before had a Communist Party leader been challenged by a Cuban who fled her country due to lack of freedom."
The PCF's ties with Havana are deeply rooted. In December 2022, Roussel led a delegation to Cuba, warmly received by Díaz-Canel, who praised the visit as an "act of courage."
In September 2025, the parties signed a "historic" cooperation agreement focusing on delegation exchanges and ideological cooperation. Additionally, Roussel has called for an end to the "intolerable blockade" against Cuba and Venezuela during discussions with representatives from both governments.
Political Repercussions
Roussel had just officially launched his presidential campaign for 2027 three days prior to the program, following a vote by PCF members on September 6. Angie's confrontation came at the very start of his campaign.
Meanwhile, the French government has adopted a more nuanced stance than the PCF. In April 2026, it called for reforms in Cuba and warned of human rights risks on the island, contrasting sharply with the communist party's unconditional alignment.
Angie's full name hasn't been disclosed in any of the consulted media outlets, but her question—"Aren't you ashamed to support a dictator?"—is widely circulating on social media, symbolizing the denunciation that many Cubans abroad have long tried to convey to a European left that has historically turned a blind eye.
Key Questions About Cuban Politics and International Relations
What prompted Angie's confrontation with Fabien Roussel?
Angie confronted Roussel due to his public support for Miguel Díaz-Canel, whom she referred to as a dictator, challenging his stance directly on French television.
How has the French Communist Party historically supported Cuba?
The French Communist Party has backed the Cuban regime since the revolution began in 1959, maintaining a tradition of support that includes cooperation agreements and opposition to international blockades against Cuba.