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Alexander Otaola
Otaola speaking at a protest in 2021
Born
Alexander Otaola Casal

(1979-04-28) April 28, 1979 (age 45)
Camagüey, Cuba
Other namesEl rey del chisme, El rey de Facebook Live
Known forActivism, television, comedy, acting, influencing
Political partyRepublican (2017–present)
Democratic (2010–2017)
Websiteholaotaola.com

Alexander Otaola Casal (Spanish: [aleɣsanˈdeɾ otaˈola kaˈsal], born April 28, 1979) is a Cuban-American actor, social media influencer, comedian and political activist.[1] Otaola is the host of the web show Hola Ota-Ola!, an informative and satirical program that covers entertainment, news and politics. His show debuted on Cubanos por el Mundo, a cross platform media initiative, website, and YouTube channel that covers politics, news, and celebrity culture in Cuba and the Cuban exile community.[2][3][4] Otaola is a vocal opponent of the communist Cuban government, denouncing its human rights violations and crimes in all of his shows. In addition, in 2023, Otaola registered his candidacy to run in the 2024 Miami-Dade County mayoral election.[5]

Biography

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Otaola was born in Camagüey, Cuba, on April 28, 1979.[2] For secondary school, he studied at a special athletic school in Cuba known as ESPA where he trained in water polo, horse riding, chess and ended up in gymnastics and musical aerobics.[6] In an interview with CiberCuba, Otaola said he was born in a society with a culture often favoring a strong sense of masculinity ("machismo") and experienced bullying and homophobia in Cuba.[2]

On December 3, 2003, Otaola emigrated to the United States from Cuba after obtaining a visa.[6] He settled in Miami where he worked as a waiter, cashier at Walmart, baker, and a manager in a housekeeping business.[7]

In 2008, he returned to television and worked in telenovelas and comedy shows.[3] He portrayed the character "Carlos Recto" in the MEGATV show Esta Noche Tu Night hosted by Alexis Valdés, and also participated in a Venevision talk show called ¿Quién Tiene la Razón?[3] Later in 2015, he was suspended by the television network Mega TV for using an obscene word during an interview.[8] In 2017, he started webcasting his show Hola Ota-Ola!, which has a large audience in Cuba and the United States.[7]

Political activism

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Otaola has organized boycotts on Cuban artists such as Haila Mompié, Jacob Forever, El Micha, and Gente de Zona which has resulted in their shows being canceled in Miami.[9] As a result of his social media activism, Haila Mompié was declared persona non grata in the city of Miami by the mayor Francis Suarez.[10]

In 2019, Otaola criticized the daughter of Raúl Castro, Mariela Castro, for canceling the annual gay pride parade in Cuba and failing to protect gay rights activists from violence by Cuban security forces.[11][12]

On social media, Otaola has attempted to uncover Ciberclarias, which he claims are false profiles that spread propaganda for the Cuban government.[13][14]

On February 29, 2020, Otaola organized a caravan in Calle Ocho, Miami, for the liberation of Cuba, the release of political prisoners in Cuba, and to support the Trump administration's policies on Cuba.[1] According to the Miami Herald, the caravan consisted in as many as 2,000 cars.[7] Following the car caravan to condemn the Cuban regime, Otaola congregated a second caravan to support "law, order, and peace."[15]

During the George Floyd protests, Otaola joined the BlackTuesday campaign on Instagram in support of black victims of police violence and added the hashtag #AllLivesMatter. Otaola said on his show: "If we are going to fight racism, it is not by segregating or separating into races that we are going to achieve it". He also said the murder of George Floyd was not justified and the police officer kneeling on his neck should be punished. He also expressed his belief that mainstream media and the left were trying to promote vandalism and portray Floyd like a hero.[15]

José Daniel Ferrer

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On his show, Otaola repeatedly demanded the release of José Daniel Ferrer, a human rights activist which had been arrested in 2003 for his participation in the Varela Project.[16] In 2019, he called for a proof-of-life on Ferrer;[17] later that year, he proved that alleged videos of Ferrer showing aggression and displaying weapons were manipulated.[18] Upon Ferrer's release to house arrest in 2020, Ferrer was interviewed on Hola Ota-Ola! and expressed gratitude toward the program for raising awareness to secure his release.[16][19]

Controversy

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Descemer Bueno

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In 2019, Otoala sued Descemer Bueno for defamation and it has resulted in an ongoing court battle.[20]

Roberto F. Hidalgo Puentes

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In May 2018, Otaola filed a police report which alleges that Roberto F. Hidalgo Puentes, half of the Cuban duo Yomil y Dany [es], assaulted him inside a store in Miami.[21][22] In a statement to Martí Noticias, Otaola said this is not the first time he has been threatened by Hidalgo, and he alleges Hidalgo threatened to kill him during an event in Punta Cana. Hidalgo returned to Cuba after the incident.[21] In 2018 according to Daniel Benítez of WJAN-CD, a Miami-Dade judge signed an arrest warrant for Hidalgo.[23][24]

5 de Septiembre accusations

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On January 10, 2020, Julio Martínez Molina published an article in the Cienfuegos newspaper, 5 de Septiembre, which alleged that Otaola is accused of sexual abuse of a minor in Cuba.[25][26][27][28] Otaola has denied the allegation and has consulted with his legal team to request the statement's retraction.[27]

Chocolate MC

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During an interview Chocolate MC [es] walked out of the Hola Ota-Ola! show.[29] Since their initial meeting, Otaola and Chocolate MC have reconciled.[29] Chocolate MC attended the Caravan in 2020.[7]

Red List

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On his show he has an ongoing list of Cuban artists, celebrities, and business people who continue to work in Cuba while also possessing a green card in order to reside or work in the United States.[30][31]

Personal life

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According to an interview with Ileana Marce, Otaola is currently single.[32]

Criticism

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Boycotts

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Critics have voiced concern about Otaola's advocacy for boycotting certain Cuban artists. Several Cuban-Americans who were interviewed by the Associated Press criticized the ban as an act of discrimination and censorship.[9] However, the mayor of Miami Francis Suarez supported the ban stating: "It's not about intolerance or censorship, it's about respect and recognizing the mortifying history of communism, especially in Cuba".[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Torres, Norra Gamez; J. Penton, Mario (March 3, 2020). "Influencer de Miami moviliza a cubanos recién llegados en apoyo a política de Trump" [Miami influencer mobilizes recently arrived Cubans in support of Trump's policies]. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Otaola, Alexander (May 7, 2019). "El entrevistador entrevistado, en vivo con Álex Otaola". CiberCuba (Interview). Interviewed by CiberCuba. Miami, Florida. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c Otaola, Alexander (July 19, 2019). "Entrevista a Alex Otaola: Su Vida Antes & Después de Hola Ota-Ola | Amenazas + Vida Personal". Familia Cubana TV (Interview). Interviewed by Ann Rodriguez. Miami, Florida. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Otaola, Alexander (January 22, 2019). "Alexander Otaola: "A mí lo que me gusta es que me ataquen"". Hypermedia Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Siro Cuartel. Miami, Florida. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Hanks, Douglas (April 19, 2023). "He's a conservative Cuban-American YouTube star. Now he's running for Miami-Dade mayor". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "El show de Alexis Valdés 02-19-20 entrevista al influencer Alex Otaola". YouTube. February 20, 2020. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d Torres, Norra Gamez; Penton, Mario J. (March 5, 2020). "This YouTube star made his mark among recently arrived Cubans — and got them to act". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  8. ^ Hansen, Lena (March 17, 2015). "El caso Rodner Figueroa se cobra otra víctima" [The Rodner Figueroa case claims another victim]. People en Español (in Spanish). Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c "Miami Sees Return to Cold War Cultural Hard Line on Cuba". Associated Press. February 4, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "Alex Otaola habla de Haila Mompié" [Alex Otaola talks about Haila Mompié]. WSCV (in Spanish). November 29, 2020. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  11. ^ "Defiance and Arrests at Cuba's Gay Pride Parade". New York Times. June 9, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  12. ^ "The LGBTI+ community of Cuba is living a week of celebrations and controversy". Tremenda Nota. June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  13. ^ Cubanos por el Mundo (November 27, 2019). Otaola a las 'ciberclarias': "Ustedes me están haciendo invencible e inmortal". Alexander Otaola. YouTube. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  14. ^ Penton, Mario J (January 23, 2020). "Cuban TV shows footage of 4 alleged members of 'Clandestinos' — says Miami money behind them". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Torres, Nora Gamez (June 24, 2020). "As the country debates racism, support for Trump and views on race divide Cuban Americans". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Ferrer, José Daniel (April 3, 2020). "José Daniel Ferrer en exclusiva con Otaola: "Pueden matarnos incluso, pero rendirnos jamás"". Cubanos por el Mundo (Interview). Interviewed by Alexander Otaola. YouTube. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020.
  17. ^ "Alex Otaola exige prueba de vida de José Daniel Ferrer". YouTube. October 31, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020.
  18. ^ "Otaola revela la verdadera intención del régimen cubano con el caso de Ferrer (+VIDEO)" [Otaola reveals the true intention of the Cuban regime with the Ferrer case (+VIDEO)]. Periodico Cubano (in Spanish). November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  19. ^ "Otaola habla con José Daniel Ferrer, líder de la UNPACU, después de ser liberado" [Otaola speaks with José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU, after being released]. Periodico Cubano (in Spanish). April 4, 2020. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  20. ^ Penton, Mario J (June 9, 2020). "Polémica entre Otaola y Descemer Bueno abre viejas heridas del exilio cubano" [Controversy between Otaola and Descemer Bueno opens old wounds of the Cuban exile]. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Otaola teme por su vida y piden revocación de visa para el reguetonero Yomil" [Otaola fears for his life and asks for visa revocation for reggaeton singer Yomil]. RadioTelevisionMarti (in Spanish). May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  22. ^ Arias-Polo, Arturo (March 3, 2020). "Otaola: 'Yomil me dijo que me iba a matar, llevaré el caso hasta las últimas consecuencias'" [Otaola: 'Yomil told me he was going to kill me, I will take the case to the final consequences']. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  23. ^ Benítez, Daniel (May 18, 2018). "EXCLUSIVA: El presentador Alex Otaola da detalles sobre la demanda que presentó por agresión a Yomil Hidalgo" [EXCLUSIVE: Presenter Alex Otaola gives details about the lawsuit he filed for assaulting Yomil Hidalgo]. WJAN-CD (in Spanish). Archived from the original on June 11, 2020.
  24. ^ Arias-Polo, Arturo (August 14, 2018). "Reguetonero Yomil podría ser arrestado en EEUU si regresa de Cuba" [Reggaeton player Yomil could be arrested in the US if he returns from Cuba]. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  25. ^ "Alexander Otaola reta al periódico 5 de Septiembre: "Que saquen pruebas legales sobre esta acusación"" [Alexander Otaola challenges the newspaper 5 de Septiembre: "Let them produce legal evidence about this accusation"]. Asere Noticias (in Spanish). January 16, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  26. ^ "Otaola reta al Periódico 5 de Septiembre a demostrar con pruebas acusaciones en su contra" [Otaola challenges newspaper 5 de Septiembre to prove accusations against him with evidence]. Periodico Cubano (in Spanish). January 16, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Un Periodico cubano llama <<cibercochino, garrapata y abusador sexual>> a Alex Otaola" [A Cuban newspaper calls Alex Otaola "a cyberpig, a tick and a sexual abuser"]. Cuba Trendings (in Spanish). September 5, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  28. ^ Molina, Julio Martinez (January 10, 2020). "Illegitimos" [Illegitimate] (PDF). 5 de Septiembre (in Spanish). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  29. ^ a b Cubanos por el Mundo (August 8, 2017). Entrevista a Chocolate MC en Hola! Ota-Ola por Alex Otaola. Alexander Otaola. YouTube. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  30. ^ Martinez, Alejandro (November 29, 2019). "Presentador cubano Alexander Otaola propone crear una "Lista Roja" para incluir aquellos artistas y empresarios que cooperan con la dictadura en Cuba y buscan visa y Green Card en Estados Unidos" [Cuban presenter Alexander Otaola proposes creating a "Red List" to include those artists and businessmen who cooperate with the dictatorship in Cuba and seek visa and Green Card in the United States]. CubaEnMiami (in Spanish). Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Amaury Pérez Vidal se suma a la lista roja de Alex Otaola (+VIDEO)" [Amaury Pérez Vidal joins Alex Otaola's red list (+VIDEO)]. Periodico Cubano (in Spanish). December 19, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  32. ^ "ALEX OTAOLA, entrevista sobre su vida y cambios después del éxito". YouTube. August 27, 2019. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
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