Is Violent Content in Congas a New Phenomenon in Cuba? An Expert Weighs In

A viral video featuring the so-called "Matanzas conga," with its refrain "keep working and I'll carry your bag," has sparked intense debate both within Cuba and among the Cuban diaspora in early July 2026. Amid the uproar, Rolando Cartaya, a journalist and researcher with the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba and the Cuban Conflict Observatory, downplays the phenomenon, asserting that violence in traditional Cuban congas is far from a recent development.

During a discussion with journalist Tania Costa, both agreed that vulgarity is not breaking news but rather a historical constant in Castro's Cuba. Costa recalled that during the 'Special Period' in Havana's neighborhoods in the 1990s, a similarly crude phrase, "Charge with the machete," served as an equivalent to the current expression, often signaling an imminent outbreak of violence.

Cartaya's core argument is that violence has been a long-standing element of neighborhood congas in Cuba, but the lack of internet in the past meant it went undocumented and unshared. "This violence isn't anything new. The difference now is the internet, which exposes it, but it's always been present in the neighborhoods," he explained.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Cartaya recounted his time as a political prisoner alongside common inmates, many of whom had committed serious offenses, giving him firsthand insight into the vulgarity and violence prevalent in Cuban prisons. He also shared how, despite being a journalist, he had to work as a fumigator after being barred from his profession for opposing the Castro regime.

Costa argued that the public's reaction is disproportionate. "I believe we're blowing this issue out of proportion. Yes, it's vulgar; yes, it's ugly; and no, I wouldn't want my child involved in it. But it's always been there," she said.

The researcher places the conga within a broader context of accumulated social decay that explains the heightened tension on the island. At this point, Costa emphasized, "If you sleep poorly and eat poorly, you're bound to be aggressive. Imagine experiencing that every single day of your life. The stress and irritability levels must be overwhelming."

Costa further highlighted that many who express outrage at the conga seem disconnected from the reality of everyday Cubans, suggesting, "Many people act shocked as if they've always lived in Miramar and never set foot in a neighborhood. Congas have never been performed with the verses of Dulce María Loynaz; they've always been in the style of the Matanzas conga."

The program showcased images of children sleeping on the streets of Prado and Virtudes in Old Havana, illustrating the severe hardship imposed on Cuban families by frequent blackouts.

Cartaya also underscored the rising insecurity and the collapse of the healthcare system. He cited the example of two women detained in Holguín for illegal drug sales, with social media users defending them by stating, "The black market is Cuba's pharmacy; you can't rely on state pharmacies where there's nothing available."

Supporters of the regime attempted to portray the conga video as evidence of Cuban contentment. However, comedian Ulises Toirac rejected this interpretation on July 3, labeling the video as proof that Cuba is a "failed state" due to the systematic marginalization imposed by the regime on large segments of the population.

The broader context is equally telling: the Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 107 street protests in June 2026, nearly double the number in March, primarily concentrated in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. These protests were driven by blackouts, shortages, and social discontent that, according to Cartaya, has been silently building for decades in Cuba's working-class neighborhoods.