The Cuban singer Leoni Torres responded to the criticism received after announcing that he will sing the Cuban national anthem on May 18 at the Miami Marlins stadium.
This is the event for Cuban Heritage Day, which is usually celebrated on May 20, the day of the establishment of the republic in Cuba.
That day “history will be made,” Leoni said on his Instagram account, where many Cubans have criticized his decision.
The controversy arises as a result of what happened last year during the World Baseball Classic, when Cuba-USA took place and the Marlins prevented fans wearing sweaters with the slogan Patria y Vida from entering the stadium.
“I’m not doing it for the Marlins, I’m doing it for the oppressed Cubans in our land. The anthem of struggle must be sung where everyone can see it,” said the artist.
A Cuban named Claudia asked him to reconsider: “I was one of those who were not allowed to enter the stadium for having a Patria y Vida sign, violating my freedom of expression.”
Leoni responded: “I am going to sing the anthem for you and for all those who suffered that. This is my way of supporting you and freedom.”
“It is forbidden to forget what the Marlins did! Even if they sing whatever they are going to sing in favor of the freedom of the Cuban people! I wouldn’t go!” exclaimed a young man.
“If you don’t want to be part of the freedom of your island, I respect you. Now respect those who raise their voices for yours,” the singer replied.
Many Internet users, some who recognize themselves as his fans, believe that he has adopted a wrong position in the face of what they consider a betrayal by the Marlins.
“What a way to support Cubans in a place where they closed the doors to Cubans who were going to express themselves against the dictatorship,” said one.
“The problem is not that you sing the anthem. The problem with all this is that many Cubans like you wanted to express themselves against the dictatorship when the game against the team asere and they were not allowed to enter the stadium. “So, what is the Cuban pride in appearing there,” questioned another.
In Leoni’s opinion, communism did a great job of dividing the Cuban people. “And the saddest thing is that he achieved it. Cubans against Cubans,” he lamented.
Among those who publicly support him are his wife, actress Yuliet Cruz, and comedians Luis Silva and Rigoberto Ferrera.
Other public figures have reacted differently.
This is the case of the professional boxer Yordenis Ugás, who publicly broke with the Marlins by rejecting their invitation to participate in the event for Cuban Heritage Day, and specified that his decision is personal and that he respects what others do.
“Many Cubans are dissatisfied and offended with this situation. In the dictatorship they humiliated us. In freedom we do not want, nor will we allow the same. Exile is respected. We have an exile full of families of political prisoners and those killed at sea. If in the future the Marlins “They want to fix this, recognize their mistake and apologize to our community, I am fully willing to be a bridge and participate. Never again will one of my feet be there until that happens,” he stressed.
In March of last year, after the disgraceful incident that occurred at the Miami Marlins stadium, the baseball team fought back saying that the policy of the V World Baseball Classic prohibited political messages at all games and in all facilities.
Figures like Pichy Boys asked their fans who feel the freedom of Cuba to boycott the team stopping attending their games until they apologize, a decision they are maintaining this season.
After the incident, which outraged the Cuban community in Florida, Francis Suárez, mayor of Miami, assured that he would investigate the reasons why the security of the LoanDepot Park stadium changed its policy regarding the entry of fans with banners with slogans against the Cuban regime.
