Baby Lores reveals why they didn’t let him travel to Cuba

Photo: Baby Lores | Facebook

Text: Fede Gayardo

Cuban singer Baby Lores considered that his criticism of the island’s government could be behind the entry ban that he denounced in October, when he was trying to travel from Miami to visit his mother, who was admitted to intensive care.

During a recent interview on the program Tolk Destinythe artist recalled the moment when he had to leave a plane after being told that the Cuban authorities had not authorized his entry into the country.

Although he claimed not to know the official reasons for the decision, he suspected that it could be related to his public statements and his political positioning.

“I don’t know, because of the truths that I have told, or because of my change, because of my position, I imagine,” he said when questioned about the possible reasons.

The musician explained that he had bought an emergency ticket after learning of his mother’s delicate state of health. The worry and preparations for the trip kept him practically sleepless for several hours.

Once on board the plane, he managed to fall asleep, but shortly after he was awakened to receive the unexpected news that he could not continue to Cuba.

“I have no more information than what they gave me that day, which is that Cuba had not allowed my entry,” he said.

The incident occurred on October 3 and was publicly denounced by the singer, who was ultimately unable to make the trip to accompany his mother during the medical emergency.

During the conversation, Baby Lores also clarified the circumstances under which he had decided to return to Cuba, despite having previously announced that he would not perform artistically in the country again as long as the current political system continued.

“I promised that I was not going to sing until there was a change in the system in Cuba,” he recalled.

The performer insisted that this commitment was related to his musical performances and not to the possibility of visiting his family, especially in the face of a serious situation.

“There are things that take priority in life,” he said, explaining why he decided to travel when he learned that his mother was hospitalized.

The distance from his loved ones has been one of the most difficult aspects of his life outside of Cuba. According to him, before the October episode he had managed to visit his grandmother, who later died.

That meeting occurred approximately six or seven months before the frustrated trip, after about seven years without meeting with her, her parents and other relatives.

The singer acknowledged that maintaining his personal and political convictions has had consequences on his family life, although he also admitted that circumstances may force him to reconsider some decisions. “We are not perfect. We all make mistakes and fail in life,” he said.

When referring to the criticism he could receive for trying to return to the island after his public statements, he defended the importance of family ties above any political commitment. “The family comes first,” he assured.

He also questioned whether patriotism can be used as an argument to judge those who wish to reunite with their loved ones. “You can’t talk about patriotism if you don’t love your mother,” he said.

Baby Lores’ statements once again put on the table the difficulties faced by some Cuban artists living abroad in returning to their country, especially those who have maintained critical positions towards the authorities.