Vladimir Escudero Stands Up for Cuqui La Mora: "Leaving a Dictatorship Is One Thing, Getting It Out of Our Heads Is Another"

Cuban actor and comedian Vladimir Escudero made waves over the weekend by posting a video on Facebook defending fellow comedian Cuqui La Mora after two of her performances in the United States were canceled. This became one of the most forceful statements about political intolerance within the Cuban exile community.

The cancellations took place on November 5, just two days after the November 3 legislative elections, where Democrats achieved a historic victory by regaining the Senate and the House. On the same day, La Cubanita restaurant in Odessa, Texas, canceled the artist's show scheduled for November 8, while Expo Cubaneo Arizona 2026 inexplicably called off her performance in Phoenix.

The underlying issue was related to Cuqui La Mora's vote. Days prior, the artist—whose real name is Aleanis Jáuregui—posted a video expressing her enthusiasm about voting for the first time as a U.S. citizen, openly stating, "Here's one more Republican." Although neither organizer officially confirmed this as the reason for the cancellation, the timing sparked heated debates on social media.

In a video that garnered over 21,000 views, Escudero emphasized that the political party Cuqui supported was irrelevant to him: "I couldn't care less if Cuqui voted Republican, Democrat, or for Panfilo. I'm not defending a political party; I'm defending an individual's right to express their preferences without it automatically becoming a condemnation of their work."

Escudero further explained that he was unaware of all the details surrounding the cancellation, but he critiqued it conditionally: "I don't know all the specifics of that cancellation, but if it was simply because Cuqui expressed who she voted for, that deserves a serious reflection."

He pointed out the hypocrisy he perceives in such actions: "We Cubans know all too well what it means to live in a society where thinking differently can cost you your job, your career, your peace of mind. And now we're going to replicate those same behaviors with air conditioning, WiFi, and credit cards? Give me a break, folks."

While acknowledging that private businesses have the right to choose whom they hire, Escudero stressed that this does not exempt them from criticism: "Businesses are private, and their owners have the right to decide whom to hire. Fine. But having the right to make a decision doesn’t mean that decision is free from criticism. And we have the same right to voice our opinions."

He also championed the idea of tolerance towards differing opinions: "Freedom isn't about only tolerating those who agree with us; for that, you don't need democracy. All you need is to set up a committee... on every corner."

In the final part of his statement, Escudero stated, "Some still don't understand that leaving a country doesn't necessarily mean abandoning its worst habits." He added, "Because leaving a dictatorship is one thing; getting the dictatorship out of our heads is quite another. And, apparently, some people still have quite a bit of unpacking to do."

This isn't the first time Escudero has spoken out on freedom of expression in exile. In May 2026, he responded to actor Alejandro Cuervo, who criticized the support of Cubans in Miami for political change on the island, and in March of that year, he was involved in a controversy with reggaeton artist Yomil Hidalgo. In both instances, he defended the exile's right to demand freedom without it being misconstrued as hatred.

For her part, Cuqui La Mora announced that her show in Michigan on November 21 is still on, albeit cautiously: "I hope so," the artist said when confirming it.