Cuban reggaeton artist El Chacal seized the opportunity during one of his performances in Alicante, Spain, to proudly wave the Cuban flag and deliver a powerful message advocating for the island's freedom. He sharply criticized the regime, highlighting the severe hardships faced by the population.
The moment was captured in a video shared on TikTok, where the singer is seen displaying the national flag to the audience, expressing pride in his Cuban roots and the neighborhood of Marianao, Havana, where he grew up.
El Chacal, whose real name is Ramón Lavado Martínez, emphasized that his plea for freedom is especially directed toward those still living in Cuba, enduring the ongoing crisis's daily consequences.
"This is about freedom for the people of Cuba. Not for us who have left, not for us who live in other countries. We are free Cubans, we eat, we have breakfast, we shower, and we have our jobs and live our lives," he stated.
During his speech, El Chacal condemned the lack of food, medicine, and opportunities that plague Cubans, stressing the need for them to shape their future freely.
"People without medicine, grandmothers without medicine, people starving in Cuba need a chance to live one life and chase their dreams and projects. Freedom is needed for that," he expressed.
The singer also targeted Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, criticizing his calls for creativity in the face of the nation's economic struggles.
"It's outrageous to have someone overweight, all red-faced, telling the people to be creative," he said from the stage.
The video, released on TikTok on Monday, October 12, featured hashtags like #PatriaYVida, underscoring the political message.
The performance in Alicante is part of the artist's European tour, which in 2026 also includes shows in Gran Canaria, Barcelona, and several German cities.
This isn't the first time El Chacal has used his concerts to demand freedom for Cuba. In July 2025, he was moved to tears during a performance in Zaragoza, where he held a flag with "SOS Cuba" and "Patria y Vida" messages while calling for change in his homeland.
His public dedication to this cause was also evident in March 2026, when he shared the stage with Jacob Forever and Yotuel during the Free Cuba Rally in Hialeah, performing "Puente Libertad" before thousands of Cuban-Americans.
Understanding El Chacal's Political Stance
What message did El Chacal convey during his concert in Spain?
El Chacal conveyed a message advocating for freedom in Cuba, criticizing the regime for the dire conditions and lack of basic necessities like food and medicine.
How has El Chacal shown his support for Cuban freedom in the past?
El Chacal has consistently used his platform to call for freedom in Cuba, including tearfully holding a flag with "SOS Cuba" and "Patria y Vida" messages during a performance in Zaragoza in 2025, and collaborating with other artists at the Free Cuba Rally in Hialeah in 2026.