Pedro Moreno, a noted Cuban actor, made a significant appearance at a Popular Party (PP) event in Madrid, sharing his personal experiences of life under Cuban socialism. His participation was part of the electoral campaign leading up to Spain's general elections on November 29.
Born in Havana in 1980 and now residing in Miami, Moreno introduced himself with a powerful statement that encapsulated his journey: "My name is Pedro Moreno, I'm an actor, I'm Cuban, I'm a father of three, and I'm also an entrepreneur with a construction company in Miami, Florida," as reported by PP Comunidad de Madrid on X this Saturday.
The actor did not mince words when discussing his reason for leaving Cuba: "I wouldn't have achieved any of this if I hadn't left my country. I had to leave because there are no opportunities back home; they've vanished over six decades due to socialism." He was clear that the blame lies not with capitalism, but with Cuba's governing model: "It wasn't because of capitalism, as they spread around the world, it was because of socialism."
Moreno painted a vivid picture of life on the island, describing it as an environment of continuous indoctrination. "We woke up to the radio saying: Cuba is free, Cuba is the first free territory in America," he reminisced. On the subject of education, he was blunt: "Education was doctrine, teaching you how to think, what to say, and what not to say."
The slogans that defined his youth, he noted, left no room for alternative options: "Socialism or death were the words, there was no other choice. Homeland or death, we shall overcome."
His testimony included specific instances of repression he witnessed or experienced. "An artist is persecuted and jailed for expressing themselves freely. A friend's father suddenly disappears for politically dissenting against the government," he stated.
Moreno also highlighted the disparity between the regime's promises of equality and reality: "They promise social equality [...] saying they'll take money from businessmen and the rich to give to the poor. Yet you see them getting richer and richer, while the poor are left without opportunities."
Arriving in the United States by raft at the age of 20, Moreno has since built a successful two-decade career in Hispanic television, featuring in Telemundo and Televisa telenovelas such as El rostro de Analía, Una familia con suerte, La Desalmada, and Me declaro culpable. During the pandemic, he expanded his ventures and co-directs a construction company.
His presence at the PP event comes at a time when Spain is home to over 250,000 Cuban residents, many of whom fled the massive crackdown following the July 11, 2021 protests, during which the Cuban regime jailed hundreds of demonstrators, artists, and activists.
The PP's election program, unveiled days before the event, pledges to condemn the dictatorships of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, support their democratic transitions, and demand the release of political prisoners, alongside changes in residency and nationality policies impacting the Cuban community.
Moreno concluded his speech by urging Spanish citizens to uphold transparency and the right to peacefully replace leaders, warning: "If you don't defend that, who do you think will be affected? Them? No, it's us, the workers, the entrepreneurs, the everyday people."
Instead of waving national flags, Moreno chose to explain, "I carry the flag of Hispanicity because it represents all of us," ending with a resounding cheer: "Long live free Cuba, long live freedom, down with socialism, and long live Spain."
Pedro Moreno's Impact and Insights on Cuban Socialism
Why did Pedro Moreno leave Cuba?
Pedro Moreno left Cuba due to the lack of opportunities caused by the socialist regime, which he believes has been detrimental to the country's progress for over six decades.
How has Pedro Moreno built his career in the United States?
After arriving in the U.S. at the age of 20, Pedro Moreno established a successful career in Hispanic television, starring in several popular telenovelas and later expanding into entrepreneurship with a construction company.