Cuban musician and staunch government supporter Arnaldo Rodríguez has come to the defense of Lis Cuesta, wife of Miguel Díaz-Canel, following her recent participation in the television program "Cuadrando la Caja." During the show, Cuesta discussed the impact of cultural events on the Cuban economy. Rodríguez took to Facebook to praise the unpopular first lady, stating, "She did a great job."
"Lis Cuesta was excellent on cultural events! Very spot on. I completely agree with her perspective on the matter. It’s worth watching the whole program; she nailed it!" the singer expressed in his post.
Cuesta’s defense comes in response to the criticism she faced after appearing on television as a Doctor of Science and expert in the Economy of Culture. She joined a panel with Fernando León Jacomino, Vice Minister of Culture, and Michel Torres Corona, the host of the program "Con Filo."
During her appearance, Cuesta argued that cultural events are a significant source of revenue for the Cuban economy, claiming that they do generate profits, although she did not provide specific figures or details on how these resources are managed.
She also asserted that these often exclusive and costly events "cannot be denied to the people" despite the ongoing crisis, emphasizing that culture has played a crucial role in attracting tourism, especially when Cuba was primarily known as a sun and beach destination. However, she avoided mentioning issues such as delayed payments to artists and cultural entities, a recurring problem in the sector.
Rodríguez is one of the most fervent supporters of the communist government’s narrative. He often criticizes and even mocks the growing number of voices calling for change in Cuba. Recently, he composed "Aquí no hay marcha atrás," a song that glorifies the Cuban lifestyle amid blackouts and wood-fired cooking, recorded alongside other pro-government singers like Mayito Rivera and Osdalgia.
In December, Rodríguez was chosen to close the March of the Combative People, organized by Díaz-Canel to conclude the National Assembly sessions. He performed a concert on the Malecón in Havana, which was attended by only about a hundred people. The event was a significant failure, with the lack of audience painfully obvious. Nevertheless, Rodríguez misrepresented the situation by sharing a video on social media from a different, unrelated performance rather than the propaganda event.
Impact of Cultural Events on Cuba’s Economy
What was Lis Cuesta's main argument regarding cultural events in Cuba?
Lis Cuesta argued that cultural events are a significant source of income for the Cuban economy and should not be denied to the public despite the economic crisis.
Did Lis Cuesta provide financial details on the management of cultural event revenues?
No, Lis Cuesta did not offer specific figures or details on how the revenues from cultural events are managed.
What criticism did Arnaldo Rodríguez face regarding his support for the government?
Arnaldo Rodríguez has been criticized for his staunch support of the communist government and for mocking those calling for change in Cuba.