Israel Rojas, the singer-songwriter leading the duo Buena Fe, admitted on Wednesday to being "naive" for years by not believing the accusations regarding the privileges enjoyed by Cuba's ruling elite. He publicly apologized to those who, he said, had tried to make him aware of this reality.
His reflection appeared on Facebook following the controversy ignited by Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," the grandson of Raúl Castro. His recent interview with USA Today has sparked significant criticism both on the island and abroad.
Reflecting on Elite Privilege
The comment by Rojas was a reaction to a post by lawyer and historian Ernesto Limia, who claimed the media exposure of El Cangrejo was part of a "cognitive warfare" operation against Cuba. While Rojas shared the post, he clarified that he did not agree with this interpretation.
"That is Ernesto Limia's opinion, whom I respect and admire. My belief is that in the revolution I knew, individuals like those in that American article, Raúl Guillermo, always ended up badly. No one had dared so much before. And those who backed, encouraged, or tolerated them ended up just as poorly," Rojas wrote.
Apologizing for Past Skepticism
In a widely discussed part of his post, the musician apologized to those who had warned him over the years about certain power sectors' privileges, admitting he had refused to believe them.
"What shame I feel for our vaccine scientists, the dedicated doctors, the UNE workers, the retirees. To all those who spoke to me in good faith about these issues, and I resisted believing them. My apologies. I have been naive," he confessed.
Contrasting Lives
Rojas further criticized the stark contrast between the opulence of some elite members and the daily sacrifices of millions of Cubans.
"No familiarity or joviality of a revolutionary leader can justify bypassing, even symbolically, the country's institutional framework. Behind it are years of grassroots work, people who have given their lives to serve the nation," he stated.
Reactions to "El Cangrejo's" Interview
Rojas's remarks came in the wake of an interview where the Ministry of Interior colonel and Raúl Castro's grandson expressed his willingness to negotiate directly with President Donald Trump regarding Cuba's future.
The interview stirred controversy, not only due to his statements but also because of the image conveyed by Rodríguez Castro. He was seen wearing a Rolex Submariner watch, Hermès sneakers, and a Hugo Boss shirt, while stating, "It pains me that people can't live like I do."
His words incited outrage on social media, amid prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and wages barely covering basic needs.
Recalling Historic Cases
In his post, Rojas evoked the 1989 Case Number One, where General Arnaldo Ochoa and several Ministry of Interior officers were convicted, to question whether the ethical principles that supposedly inspired the Revolution still stand.
"Is the code of ethics for officials still valid? I remember the fiery legal and ethical arguments—especially ethical—of then-prosecutor Juan Escalona Reguera," he wrote.
He added, "And now, suddenly, this. Just like that. Now everything takes on a painful, undignified, unjust, indecent logic."
The Buena Fe leader's statements contribute to an ongoing debate that has reached figures traditionally aligned with the government.
Among the respondents was photographer Kaloian Santos Cabrera, who publicly questioned El Cangrejo's role. "What the hell is the grandson/bodyguard doing negotiating Cuba's fate? Who put him there? With what legitimacy?" he wrote.
Also on Wednesday, María del Carmen Hernández Carús, the mother of the head of Communication at the Palace of the Revolution, expressed her discontent on Facebook with a brief message directed at Raúl Castro's grandson: "Can someone bring this boy down from the clouds? Can someone tell him to be quiet?"
Israel Rojas, who in February 2026 declared he wouldn't fight for the Castro dynasty—though he later retracted—and in June called for political reforms, concluded his comment by reaffirming his beliefs while drawing a line: "I do not regret being a revolutionary. I have not betrayed my creed. It's on them."
Understanding the Controversy Around "El Cangrejo"
Who is "El Cangrejo"?
"El Cangrejo" is the nickname for Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro and a colonel in Cuba's Ministry of Interior.
Why did Israel Rojas apologize publicly?
Israel Rojas apologized for being naive and not believing the accusations about the privileges of Cuba's elite, which he now acknowledges as true.
What was the reaction to "El Cangrejo's" interview?
The interview caused outrage due to Rodríguez Castro's statements and the image of luxury he projected, contrasting sharply with the hardships faced by ordinary Cubans.