Carlos Victoriano Varela Cerezo (born 11 April 1963) is a renowned Cuban singer-songwriter of Nueva Trova, a musical genre characterized by poetic and political themes.

Emerging as a response to the unjust conditions that led to the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Nueva Trova emphasizes social commentary and activism.

Today, Varela's music is recognized for its candid criticism of the status quo in post-revolutionary Cuba, yet remains deeply rooted in the Nueva Trova movement and genre.

[1][2] Varela's song "Una palabra" ("One Word") was featured in the soundtracks of the film Powder Keg (2001) directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu starring Clive Owen,[3] and again in the film Man on Fire in 2004 starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning.

[4] It was also used in Episode 3 of Netflix's true crime documentary series, Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer.