Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro recently released a political propaganda cover of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s No. 1 hit “Despacito” in a bid to shore up support from the public. Maduro became the president of Venezuela in 2013 (taking over from controversial president Hugo Chavez) and inherited many issues related to poverty, crime, and hunger. Since then, the country has dealt with significant political turmoil and recently a serious recession.
Maduro remade “Despacito” with new lyrics urging voters to participate in the upcoming election and create a Constituent Assembly. NBC shared a video of Maduro first playing the track for audience members, who danced and clapped along.
The track (which was originally recorded in Spanish), urges young people to support Maduro:
For union and peace of our country the Constituent moves forward
Dear brothers here, I am singing to you
I have a great message for you
It is the call to the Constituent that only wants to unite the country
Slowly open your eyes and look at your people, give them your hand today, tomorrow, and always
It is you brothers that are in the forefront
Slowly, exercise your vote instead of bullets, go with your ideas always in peace and calm
And so that hope shines in your soul
The Constituent goes, exercise your vote!
The song is being used to encourage young voters to get involved in the political process, but has upset the creators of the original track in the process. Shortly after the cover dropped, Fonsi responded on Instagram:
At no time I’ve been consulted, nor I’ve authorized the use or change of Despacito’s lyrics for political purposes, much less in the deplorable situation that a country that I love as much as Venezuela is in… My music is for all those who want to listen to it and enjoy it, not to be used as propaganda that tries to manipulate the will of a people who are crying out for their freedom.
Daddy Yankee also voiced his support for the Venezuelan people:
What can you expect? Of a person who has stolen so many lives from young dreamers and people that what they are looking for is a better future for their children. That you illegally appropriated a song (Despacito), does not compare with the crime you commit and have committed in Venezuela. It is a mockery, not only for my Venezuelan brothers and sisters, but for the whole world its dictatorial regime. With that nefarious marketing plan, you will only continue to highlight your fascist ideal, which has killed hundreds of heroes and injured more than 2,000.
Erika Ender, who helped to write the track, commented on the incident, too. All three artists stand with Venezuelan constituents during the political unrest, and have expressed concern with Maduro’s use of the track for political purposes.
Last week, “Despacito” became the most streamed track ever, showcasing its worldwide popularity. It has been at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the last 11 weeks, and both the original version and Justin Bieber’s remix of the track have been streamed millions of times.
Check out all the original lyrics to “Despacito” on Genius now.
