Israel Rojas, the frontman of the duo Buena Fe, attended the 23rd Piña Colada Festival held from April 2nd to 5th in Ciego de Ávila and Morón. He sparked controversy by justifying his participation in the event with the statement: "Culture also saves."
Rojas made this assertion after performing at the Teatro Principal in Ciego de Ávila, which organizers described as packed with local attendees. The festival had to adapt its format to accommodate the energy crisis, foregoing large-scale lighting and big screens at the Máximo Gómez Plaza.
During his remarks, Rojas emphasized the cultural significance for families, praised the presence of artists, and commended the organizers for their efforts. He also subtly criticized those who disapprove of holding such events amid Cuba's severe crisis.
The backdrop of the festival was particularly contentious. Just three weeks earlier, on March 13th, Morón—one of the festival's venues—witnessed widespread protests due to a power outage lasting over 26 hours.
Protesters stormed the local headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba, set furniture on fire, and chanted slogans like "Freedom!" and "Homeland and Life." During the police crackdown, a young man was shot.
Cubalex reported at least 14 arrests linked to the protests and cacerolazos in the area, including that of Jonathan David Muir Burgos, a 16-year-old, detained with his father on March 16th.
Ciego de Ávila was experiencing extreme blackout conditions since March 30th, with power cuts lasting up to 21 hours daily, precisely when the festival commenced.
While Rojas championed culture as a lifeline, his Buena Fe bandmate, Arnaldo Rodríguez—who has served as a National Assembly deputy for Morón since 2023—labeled the March 13th protesters as "riffraff" and "antisocials" from the same festival stage, portraying Morón as a "cultured, educated, and patriotic" city.
Rojas also shared a video on Facebook, praising the solar panels installed on rooftops in Morón as a symbol of "resilience," echoing the official narrative about 5,000 photovoltaic systems donated by China, without addressing the recent repression and arrests.
This isn't the first instance of the singer siding with the regime during tense times. During the July 11, 2021 protests, he supported Miguel Díaz-Canel's "combat order." In May 2023, he publicly denied the existence of political prisoners in Cuba, claiming, "To my knowledge, there are none."
The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba lists him among oppressors due to his Castroist propaganda and ties to the Ministry of the Interior.
In March of this year, during a tour in Spain, a Cuban activist was forcibly removed from one of his concerts in Madrid for chanting slogans about the freedom of political prisoners.
By March 17, Cubalex had recorded 156 national protests, marking the most significant wave of demonstrations since the 11J protests in 2021. This reality starkly contrasts with the cultural normalcy the Piña Colada Festival attempted to convey. The event's director, Arnaldo Rodríguez, hailed its execution as "heroic" given the circumstances.
Understanding the Piña Colada Festival Amidst Cuba's Challenges
What is the Piña Colada Festival?
The Piña Colada Festival is an annual music and cultural event held in Cuba, celebrating various forms of artistic expression, including music, dance, and theater.
Why was the festival controversial this year?
This year's festival drew controversy due to its timing amidst Cuba's severe economic and energy crises, as well as recent protests against government policies.
How did Israel Rojas justify his participation in the event?
Israel Rojas defended his participation in the festival by stating that "culture also saves," highlighting the importance of cultural activities even during challenging times.