Ana de Armas, renowned for her roles in “Knives Out” and “Blonde,” is facing controversy not related to her acting but due to her new romantic involvement.
The Cuban-born actress was recently photographed in Madrid with Manuel Anido Cuesta, who has connections to Cuba’s authoritarian leadership. Cuesta, younger than de Armas by ten years, is the stepson of Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the current Cuban leader and successor to Raul Castro.
This relationship has sparked significant backlash, considering Cuesta’s ties to a regime known for human rights abuses and political repression issues all too familiar to many Cubans, including de Armas’ own family who left Cuba when she was 18.
Estas imágenes deben recorrer el mundo, que no tengan piedad.
La famosa actriz Ana de Armas fue fotografiada en Madrid junto al genocida cubano Manuel Anido Cuesta, hijastro del dictador Díaz Canel y posible sucesor. Son pareja.
Asesinos. Disfrutando por Madrid como si nada. pic.twitter.com/2wqxYujt39
— Agustín Antonetti (@agusantonetti) November 20, 2024
Critics are expressing their dismay, highlighting the irony in her choice to date someone linked to the oppressive regime her family escaped. Comments on social media reflect disappointment and even cynicism about her past criticisms of the regime. “It’s disheartening to see Ana de Armas dating someone from the very establishment that crushed so many Cuban lives, including her own family’s,” one user remarked.
🇪🇸🇨🇺 | ÚLTIMA HORA
La actriz Ana de Armas y Manuel Cuesta, hijastro y asesor del dictador cubano, son captados juntos por segunda vez en la capital española.
Mientras el régimen oprime a su pueblo, Cuesta pasea por la “capitalista Europa” como si posara para las cámaras. pic.twitter.com/qI3VfzH7ps
— UHN PLUS (@UHN_Plus) November 27, 2024
While some question her motives, others defend her, citing her deep connection to Cuba and suggesting that her critics might oversimplify the complexities of her life decisions.
This controversy emerges as de Armas’ career reaches a critical juncture. Despite an Oscar nomination and a rapid rise to fame, her recent films have not mirrored earlier successes. She is, however, set to appear in the eagerly awaited “Ballerina,” a spinoff from the John Wick series.
La actriz cubano española Ana de Armas es fotografiada en Madrid junto al hijastro del dictador cubano Díaz Canel, Manuel Anido Cuesta. Estos comunistas de mierda se pasean como millonarios en Europa mientras el pueblo cubano se muere de hambre. ¡Zurdos HDP, basura es lo que son! pic.twitter.com/gIA7GNuNIL
— Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) November 20, 2024
As de Armas navigates this challenging period, the impact of her personal decisions on her professional path remains uncertain. Her relationship with Cuesta has undoubtedly stirred debate about her background and political affiliations, spotlighting the actress in ways she might not have anticipated.