One of the presenters of the Cuban television news announced on Friday that he had decided to emigrate to the United States, as thousands of his compatriots have been doing for months, denouncing the "
desperation
" in his country and the "
lies
" of his government.
"
My journey has begun, like that of thousands of other Cubans who, in recent months, have had enough of plowing in the sand and have decided to leave, to escape so much rotten shit, lies and despair
" , wrote journalist Yuninho Rodriguez in a long post on his Facebook account from Mexico, where he hopes to cross the US border.
Read alsoIn Cuba, the dissent of the "11 J" made docile by hunger
The journalist, known as Yunior Smith on the television news, admits having been a "
lover
" of the Cuban communist system but says he was disappointed with "
failed policies
" and a "
dead economy
" in his country, denouncing the use of the American embargo as a false pretext to explain the problems.
He also criticizes "
the disgusting police abuse of July 11
", when thousands of Cubans demonstrated their anger in the streets of the island, as well as the opening of many shops in foreign currencies while the inhabitants are only paid in pesos.
Worst economic crisis in 30 years
Like him, thousands of Cubans have emigrated to Central America and Mexico in recent months to reach the United States, while Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in three decades.
The presenter, who posts a photo showing two people's mud-covered shoes, says he suffered harassment from his bosses on state television.
"
I went to the chief's office several times to ask 'what do you want me to say?', because I couldn't find the means or the motive to defend the indefensible
".
Read alsoIn Cuba, empty stalls and a bureaucratic delirium
His departure, however, sparked widespread criticism on social media, including from opposition journalists like Yoani Sanchez, director of the online newspaper 14ymedio.
"
I've seen so many leave...those defenders of the regime who bashed me on prime time on Cuban TV, to friends who never wanted to get involved saying they didn't talk about political, to the militant neighbors of the Communist Party
”, she commented on Twitter.
"
I've seen so many leave that nothing surprises me anymore
," she added ironically.
In February, Yailén Insua, another state television journalist, requested asylum in Colombia after fleeing his country, claiming to have been the victim of numerous censorship attempts.