“The people have lost their fear of repression”: declared the Cuban musician who dared to demand free elections on national television

The protests in Cuba are produced “by an accumulation of frustrations and the loss of fear of repression”. Roberto Carcasses, one of the most prestigious musicians on the island, he has been expressing himself for a long time.

Pianist, composer, leader of the group Interactive and son of the Cuban jazz legend Bobby Carcasses, this 49-year-old musician spoke with TN.com.ar on the crisis that his country is going through, while more and more Cuban artists come to support the demonstrations.

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“In general, it’s very difficult (everyday life) for most Cubans“, He said.

“Robertico”, as his supporters on the island know him, doesn’t mince his words. In September 2013, during a large open-air concert in the so-called “Havana anti-imperialist tribune” broadcast live on Cuban television, surprised the world by demanding free elections in your country.

“Free access to information / having myself / my own opinion”. “Elect the president / by direct suffrage / and not by any other means”. “End blocking / and automatic blocking / please.” “Neither activists nor dissidents / all Cubans / with the same rights”, sang Carcassés on the key of salsa while the choristers answered “I want / remember that I always want”.

The scandal was enormous. The concert was organized to demand “the release of the five Cuban heroes” infiltrated and detained in the United States in 1998, who then regained their freedom.

Carcass fHe was sanctioned by the “indefinite separation of his social function”, which in the official Cuban language means that he will no longer perform in public concerts. His songs were no longer heard on radio and television. But his friend and troubadour Silvio rodriguez he issued a letter in his defense and the authorities quashed his sentence.

Eight years later, “Robertico” still thinks the same thing.

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Where is the exit

“Many necessary things are missing and, between the terrible management of the Cuban government and the sanctions of the United States, no way out soon“, he summed up.

The interview with Carcasses took place at intervals. The first contact was interrupted by the brutal cut of internet services and cell phone data after protests in different parts of the island that left at least one dead and 150 detainees.

Two days later, the dialogue with TN.com.ar it was picked up via WhatsApp.

– Why are the demonstrations taking place?

– I believe that by an accumulation of frustrations and the loss of the fear of repression.

– What do you think the Cuban government should do?

– A real constitutional reform in which the political rights of all Cubans and free elections.

– The Cuban government attributes the crisis to the blockade and the pandemic and accuses the demonstrators of mercenaries. What do you think of that?

– It’s the old strategy to blame others for your inability. Cubans have not been allowed to develop for over 60 years and now we see the result in a lack of reserves to deal with this crisis. And to say that the demonstrators are mercenaries and do not give the right of reply in the public media is continue to disrespect the intelligence of the Cubans and anyone.

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– What can happen in the future on the island?

– Honestly, I do not know. I am a musician and I express myself there. I neither practice nor encourage violence. I believe in dialogue and in art, but the Cuban government has shown that it does not want dialogue with those who do not think like them and that for me it is to encourage violence.

– Having had so many opportunities, why did you never leave Cuba?

Carcassés concludes: “I did not leave but I am always on time.”

Support from Cuban artists

Carcassés was not the only Cuban artist to come out to speak out in the midst of the emergency. The members of the mythical orchestra also expressed their support for the mobilizations Outside Van and the prestigious pianist Chucho Valdés.

Samuel Formell, director of the famous tropical orchestra Los Van Van, said from his Facebook account: “We support the thousands of Cubans who claim their rights, we must be heard, say no to violence and outrage, call La Paz in our streets ”.

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Valdés, from the same social network, added: “I am very saddened by what my people are suffering, including my family, it hurts a lot to see the inhumane conditions in which they subsist “

Composer and guitarist Leo Brouwer went further: “I never imagined that the police in Cuba would attack ordinary and peaceful people as we Cubans are ”.

The actress Laura de la Uz, one of the most popular and award-winning on the island, asked from her social media: “What’s the crime?” Think differently ?Attacking an unarmed and peaceful people who demonstrate is not a crime? “

He added: “A self-respecting government must serve the people, protect them, understand their needs and represent them in their plurality, beyond slogans and ideologies. Sovereignty cannot flow from a state’s mandate. Sovereignty, to be authentic, emanates from the voice of the people”.

“When a state persecutes and represses the demands which naturally emanate from its people, the latter cease to represent it and lose their legitimacy.. Because respectful and peaceful plurality is the basis of healthy societies, ”he said.

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“LauritaAs everyone on the island knows, he continued, “I dream of a Cuba that represents all of us Cubans. A Cuba where hatred, repression and aggression have no place. A diverse, peaceful and inclusive Cuba like we Cubans are by nature. A Cuba governed transparently and in a participatory manner ”.

And he concludes: “A Cuba where we can all express ourselves freely, without fear. A Cuba where dissent leads to the start of a constructive dialogue. A Cuba where our young people have the right to dream, and to have confidence in their future. A Cuba no external lock, but not internal either. A Cuba without interference. A Cuba where education seeks as its main objective the enlargement of people, critical thinking, and not their indoctrination. A Cuba that truly makes us proud to be Cubans ”.