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Ana de Armas’s rise to fame in Hollywood is nothing short of impressive. After breakout roles in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and Knives Out (2019), she quickly became a sought-after star, landing parts in major franchises like James Bond and the upcoming John Wick spin-off Ballerina. But now, her personal life is attracting just as much attention, and not all of it is positive.
In late November 2024, paparazzi photos surfaced showing Ana de Armas kissing her new beau, Manuel Anido Cuesta, in Madrid. While that in itself might not raise eyebrows, Anido Cuesta’s background certainly does. He is the stepson of Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the president of Cuba and the leader of the island’s authoritarian regime. Díaz-Canel is the first non-Castro head of state since 1976, and his administration continues the oppressive policies that have long defined the Cuban government.
Anido Cuesta, a lawyer and close advisor to Díaz-Canel, has been seen attending official events with the president and enjoys a lavish lifestyle, in stark contrast to the extreme poverty faced by many Cubans under the regime. This connection has sparked outrage among some of Ana de Armas’s fans, particularly those from Cuba, as they feel betrayed by her relationship with someone so closely tied to the dictatorship.
The internet quickly responded with criticism, particularly through social media platforms like TikTok. A viral video from user Yoelandmari, which has garnered over 2.3 million views, outlines why de Armas’s relationship with Anido Cuesta is seen as deeply offensive by many of her Cuban supporters. The video highlights the fact that Ana de Armas’s brother, Javier Caso, was arrested by the Cuban regime a few years ago for opposing the dictatorship. He went on a hunger strike in 2021 to protest his arrest, and yet Ana reportedly never publicly supported him, leading to a rift between them. The TikTok video argued that this apparent silence, followed by her romance with the dictator’s stepson, felt like a betrayal to those who had backed her, especially her fellow Cubans.
Many in the comments echoed this sentiment, feeling disillusioned by the actress’s actions. Some even speculated about de Armas’s intentions, with a few hoping she might secretly be working as a spy against the regime, though this is pure speculation. Others pointed out that she was not just going against her Cuban community but also her own family.
The backlash has been hard to ignore, and influencer Tefi Pessoa also spoke out, noting the painful contradiction of de Armas, a Cuban woman who rose to fame with the support of the Cuban community, now publicly embracing someone tied to the oppressive Cuban government. Pessoa expressed how difficult it is to criticize someone from the Latin community, but this relationship, she argued, felt like a slap in the face to the people who had supported her.
So far, Ana de Armas has remained silent on the controversy, sticking to her usual stance of avoiding Hollywood drama. Given the intensity of the backlash, though, her silence may not be sustainable for long. For now, it seems the question is not just about her career but also how her personal choices might affect her relationship with her fans—especially those from Cuba, who have supported her through the ups and downs of her journey.
