the cuban singer Dianelys Alfonso, known as the Goddessreacted this Monday on social networks to the news of the death of musician José Luis Cortés, whom she Publicly accused in 2019 for alleged abuse when they were a couple.
“God knows every word I said was real. Today I feel at peace. God’s timing is perfect,” reads a story shared on Instagram and Facebook.
Instagram / The Goddess
Then, in response to a comment from a user on Instagram, he added: “He won’t hit anymore, I know that.”
Instagram / The Goddess
Cortes, El Tosco, died on April 18that the age of 70, due to a hemorrhagic stroke, and in recent hours the networks have been flooded with messages from public figures who admire his work as a flutist, composer and conductor.
“His talent and constant experimentation with the most authentic sounds make him a benchmark for contemporary creation. A tireless contributor since Iraqere or with NG la Banda, José Luis leaves a deep mark on popular sounds,” said the Musical Recording and Editions Company (EGREM ).
“I can’t anymore, I can’t anymore. I will die of sadness. I can’t,” said Alexander Abreu, director of Havana D’Primera, on his Facebook profile.
Humorist Alexis Valdés also confirmed that Cortés was an “immense musician and an immense person”, adding that he had known him from Iraqere “where he shone as an exceptional instrumentalist”, and later since the first moments of NG la banda. “from where Cuban music was revolutionized”.
“One day, while interviewing Juan Luis Guerra, he said to me, ‘For me, El Tosco is the best arranger of Latin music’ and what has been called La Timba,” he commented.
For La Diosa, who revealed years ago that she had been the victim of abuse on several occasions, the musician’s death is a manifestation of justice.
At the time, the singer received strong support from feminist activists, particularly independents who published a Statement of support on the Yo Sí Te Creo platform in Cuba.
“Singer Dianelys Alfonso Cartaya’s recent public complaint against musician José Luis Cortés, “El Tosco,” in which she claims she suffered psychological, physical, emotional, and sexual violence while working at NG La Banda, is related Greater national and international awareness of gender-based violence, the initial space of complaint – social networks – and greater access to the internet in the country have meant that debate and public opinion have been stimulated about the problem in general and about the specific case”, states it in the letter.
The document later warned that her testimony “recalls the need in Cuba to have specific legislation on gender-based violence that guarantees justice, due process and safety for the complainants.”
“She also draws attention to the need for a comprehensive public policy against gender-based violence that takes into account civic education processes, makes the problem visible as a collective problem, encourages grievances, establishes institutional protocols to monitor cases, and establishes dialogues with Cuban feminists and feminists from the around the world fighting violence,” she stressed.
“We appreciate Dianelys’ courage in sharing her testimony in the media, on social media and in the justice system. Likewise, we recognize the positive messages she has sent to women who are currently victims of gender-based violence, addressed at various times to encourage them to leave their abusive and abusive relationships,” it added.