Podcast Summary: Más de uno — Tertulia: Cuba pende de un hilo

Date: March 17, 2026
Host: Carlos Alsina
Panelists: Nacho Cardero, Paco Marhuenda, Pilar Velasco, Marta García, Rubén Amón
Main Theme: Crisis in Cuba, Trump’s foreign policy, and reflections on Spain’s diplomatic relations, politics, and more.

Episode Overview

The episode centers on the escalating crisis in Cuba and the international implications, particularly the remarks made by Donald Trump, who has stated it would be an "honor" to "take" Cuba. The panel dissects the current sociopolitical and economic situation on the island, debates US intervention, and reflects on the broader context: Spain’s historical and current diplomatic posture, as well as domestic political repercussions stemming from recent elections. There's also a notable exploration of Spain's relations with Mexico, triggered by King Felipe VI's recent remarks about the Spanish Conquest. Lively debate and wit punctuate the detailed breakdown of current affairs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Situation in Cuba: Blackouts and US-Cuba Relations

• Chronic Crisis: Reports of up to 20-hour blackouts daily, severely impacting tourism and daily life. Tourists at the Havana airport use phone flashlights to reclaim luggage due to power outages.

  • Carlos Alsina (03:00): “Apagones de hasta 20 horas diarias… en Cuba se han convertido en el día a día.”

• Dialogue with the US: Cuban officials reportedly in talks with the US over investments, particularly from overseas Cubans and US companies. However, state-controlled media in Cuba downplay the internal crisis and negotiations.

• Trump’s Stance: According to the New York Times, Trump demands the removal of Cuba's President Díaz Canel as a precondition for economic aid, paralleling the US approach in Venezuela.

  • Carlos Alsina (00:48): “Trump ha hecho saber ya al régimen castrista… que el precio de recibir ayuda económica es entregar la cabeza del señor Díaz Canel…”

• Economic and Political Strain: The ongoing crisis intensified by Venezuela’s instability (from which Cuba depended on energy), China’s “interested” vehicle gifts, and now, rising pressure from the US.

2. Trump’s "Honor" to Take Cuba: Geopolitical, Economic and Democratic Discourse

[28:27 onwards]

• Trump’s "Plan": Trump claims “it will be an honor to take Cuba” and jokes the island’s lack of hurricanes makes it attractive for US investment—oversimplifying realities.

  • Carlos Alsina (27:31): “...lo más llamativo de todo lo que ha dicho Trump esta madrugada es que Cuba no está en zona de huracanes…”

• Panel Skepticism:

  • Pilar Velasco (35:05): “...para mí siempre hubiera pensado absolutamente en Cuba. Y por lo simbólico que tiene... Básicamente porque tiene muchos amigos cubanos con dinero.”
  • Rubén Amón (33:46): “De Cuba ha dicho que puede hacer cualquier cosa, pero no ha concretado... lo que no ha mencionado en ningún momento es que la democracia le interese lo más mínimo.”

• Nature of Intervention: The debate questions whether removing Díaz Canel equates to democratizing Cuba, or simply installing a US-friendly figure—a “Delcy” for Cuba.

• Parallel to Venezuela: Reference is made to Delsy Rodríguez in Venezuela as precedent for "transitional" regimes tutored by Washington, highlighting skepticism that US actions are about true democracy.

  • Nacho Cardero (38:04): “...dejan empantanado la democracia allá por donde pasa en Venezuela... esto... responde a intereses comerciales y de seguridad.”

• Democracy as Pretext:

  • Marta García (37:10): “...esta falsa búsqueda del estatus democrático que pretende la invasión de Trump... ¿Qué le importa a Donald Trump la democracia cuando opera en las tiranías en regímenes que él desde luego no se plantea cuestionar y que son aliados estratégicos como todos los países del Golfo?”

3. The Role of International Law and Europe’s Influence

• Right to Intervene: The panel weighs the legitimacy of US interventions under the guise of restoring democracy, questioning the role of international law and the United Nations.

  • Carlos Alsina (41:03): “¿Quién le ha atribuido a Donald Trump el papel de decidir qué jefe de Estado vive...?”
  • Pilar Velasco (42:20): “...el papel de las Naciones Unidas en todo este quilombo es bastante eficiente...”

• European Position:

  • Nacho Cardero (46:43): “...no es cierto esto de que Europa no pinte nada... la segunda moneda, la tercera economía... al final siempre acaba sentado en la mesa de Europa porque si no, no sabe cómo parar...”

4. Spain’s Relations with Mexico and the Historical Debate on the Conquest

• Felipe VI's Remarks: The King acknowledges abuses during the conquest but contextualizes them, referring to the Crown’s historic intention to protect indigenous peoples.

  • King Felipe VI (paraphrased by Alsina at 16:46): “...la voluntad de la Corona en aquel momento era la protección de la población, pero esas leyes fueron incumplidas y de ahí se derivaron los abusos...”
  • Paco Marhuenda (21:46): “Que hubo excesos, todos los historiadores lo han dicho, ¿Cómo no va a haber exceso...?”

• Political Fallout:

  • Historians generally back Felipe’s calibrated language; the Mexican government is expected to treat it as symbolic but inadequate.
  • Vox’s reaction is to challenge the king's legitimacy, with concern for “revisionism” expressed by some right-wing politicians.

• Changing Historical Narratives: The panel notes the shift in Mexican and Spanish academic circles, away from strict indigenismo towards a nuanced recognition of Spain's complex legacy.

5. Domestic Spanish Politics: Electoral Aftermath and Coalition Dynamics

• Election Results:

  • The right (PP and Vox) have dominated recent regional elections, but Vox underperformed relative to expectations, impacting their negotiating leverage.
  • Pilar Velasco (51:02): “...Feijóo cada vez esté más próximo a la Moncloa cuando se produzcan las generales... Pepe y Vox tienen que ya hace ya casarse sin un noviazgo duradero...”
  • The left, particularly Podemos and Sumar, have fared poorly, losing ground to PSOE.

• Coalition Complications: Divergent positions between PP and Vox, especially on monarchy and ideology, are highlighted as potential sources of friction.

  • Marta García (17:44): “...cuando aceptamos con tanta naturalidad el matrimonio del PP y Vox, cuidado a las aristas que no son pequeñas.”

6. Media, Democracy, and Political Control

• Media Licenses and Political Power:
  • Discussion over Trump’s suggestion that media not supporting him could lose their broadcasting licenses—a potential abuse mirrored in political suggestions in Spain.
  • Carlos Alsina (45:16): “...Podemos ha sugerido al gobierno que haga eso, que retire las licencias a las televisiones porque no hacen un buen servicio público.”

7. Other Topics Covered

• Tourism and Infrastructure: Impacts of AVE (high-speed rail) closure on Málaga and Andalucía’s tourism economy ahead of Semana Santa.

  • Pilar Velasco (62:47): “...para ir a determinados sitios de la península tenías que hacerlo en coche porque no tienes otra vía de transporte...”

• Cultural Commentary: Amnistía editorial for filmmaker Oliver Laxe and analysis of Spain’s Oscar bid.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On Cuba’s Chronic Blackouts:

  • Carlos Alsina (00:48): “La caída constante de la energía tiene casi paralizado el sector turístico, con turistas que están teniendo que recurrir a las linternas de sus teléfonos móviles...”

• On Trump’s Rhetoric:

  • Carlos Alsina (27:31): “...para él va a ser un honor tomar Cuba...”
  • Paco Marhuenda (32:01): “...que Cuba transita la democracia que acabe el régimen corrupto y criminal que actualmente gobierna...”

• Critique on ‘Democracy’ as a Tool of US Intervention:

  • Marta García (37:10): “...esta falsa búsqueda del estatus democrático que pretende la invasión de Trump...”

• Cynicism About International Influence:

  • Carlos Alsina (41:03): “¿Quién le ha atribuido a Donald Trump el papel de decidir qué jefe de Estado vive, qué jefe de Estado muere...?”

• Historic Context by Paco Marhuenda:

  • (21:46): "España lo que hizo es un proceso colonizador, colonizador cultural, evangélicamente, que no se llamó colonialismo... las primeras universidades las ponen los españoles en México... una labor cultural espectacular, impresionante, ya está."

• Debate on Spanish Elections:

  • Rubén Amón (58:38): “No es solo una expectativa. Era también la tendencia que traía Vox... ha pinchado en el nivel de rapidez de crecimiento que tenía con respecto al Partido Popular...”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Cuba Blackouts and Tourism: 00:48–03:00
• Diplomatic Reactions, Mexico-SPAIN Relations: 15:40–26:37
• Trump, US Policy on Cuba/Iran/Venezuela: 28:27–47:43
• Debate on International Law and Democracy: 41:03–43:42
• Spanish Political Landscape & Elections: 51:02–61:50
• Tourism-rilway disruption/Semana Santa: 61:50–64:31
• Cultural Segment (Oscars/Oliver Laxe): 66:35–68:38

Summary Tone and Style

The panel blends critical analysis with humor and sharp wit, providing both information and entertainment. There is open disagreement—especially regarding the legitimacy and effectiveness of foreign intervention, the credibility of invoking “democracy” as pretext, as well as the shifting sands of Spanish political alliances.

Concluding Insights

The episode draws a vivid picture of a Cuba at its breaking point, manipulated by global powers and beset by internal collapse, while also casting a skeptical eye on both US and European postures. Parallels are drawn to other international crises, and the panel resists easy dichotomies (“do nothing” vs. “invasion”), advocating nuanced understanding over “salvador” simplifications. Domestic politics come back to the fore, inviting listeners to see how foreign policy and national debates intertwine.

For listeners seeking a comprehensive, critical, and engaging exploration of both Cuba’s crisis and its global reverberations—with a side of Spanish political sparring—this tertulia episode is required listening.