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Former porn star Mia Khalifa wades into Cuban crisis, leaves fans in 'awe'

Of late, Mia Khalifa has become a firebrand supporting the Cuban people's struggles against their government via social media

Former adult film megastar Mia Khalifa was lauded on social media for bringing attention to the democratic protests against the Cuban government after she called on her followers to boycott the regime in solidarity with Cuban citizens.

Large swathes of Cubans have taken to the streets to protest against the government and its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, aside from the country's economic collapse and lack of fundamental civil liberties. Khalifa has recently become a social media firebrand as she positioned herself against the Cuban government and President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Marca reported.

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The feisty 28-year-old has been actively criticizing the Cuban government across various social platforms, including Twitter, where she tagged a member of the ruling party and slammed its governance of the country. Khalifa even rallied her followers to join her in never setting foot in Cuba unless there's a change of regime, per the newspaper.

"I'll never step foot in Cuba until it's free," Khalifa wrote on Instagram. "The government's value on tourism over their own people is disgusting and should be boycotted. What will they do with all the lobster if there are no tourists to eat it? They'll have to feed it to the people, I guess."

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to Cuba's streets in recent days to protest the government. Cuba's economy – which heavily relies on tourism – is in the doldrums. It has shrunk 11 percent in the last year due to the global health crisis. 

Khalifa recently called Cuba's president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, "garbage." During a television address to the country, Diaz-Canel accused Khalifa of working with the US government to encourage protests in the country. The webcam model responded to the allegation in another scathing tweet directed at the Cuban leader. "I'm not being paid by any government to spread awareness of your inhumanity towards your people. I do it for free and on my own time," Khalifa wrote.

Social media showered praise on the former pornstar for bringing the Cuban protests into the spotlight and shaming Diaz-Canel in the process.

"I thought this was a joke when I heard of it, but Cuba's dictator did, in fact, go on national television this morning and accused @MiaKhalifa of working with the American government to fuel yesterday's protests against the regime. LMFAO!" Conservative strategist Giancarlo Sopo tweeted.

"Cuba’s president blamed former porn star @miakhalifa for inciting democracy protests in his country. Really. Good work, Mia," author Clay Travis wrote.

"Thanks to @miakhalifa for helping raise awareness about the current situation in Cuba," another added.

"I’m truly in awe as to how the first I heard of what is happening in Cuba right now was from Mia Khalifa and Twitter. no other media coverage. Cuba has been yelling for its freedom for YEARS. ya es la hora a escucharlos claramente. #SOSCuba #AbajoLaDictadura," another chimed in.

The protests in Havana, Cuba, on Sunday were the largest anti-government demonstrations in almost three decades, with many demanding the abolishment of the communist regime. President Joe Biden extended support for Cuban protesters in a statement from the White House.

"The Cuban people are bravely asserting fundamental and universal rights. Those rights, including the right of peaceful protest and the right to freely determine their own future, must be respected," Biden said. "The United States calls on the Cuban regime to hear their people and serve their needs at this vital moment rather than enriching themselves."