Cuban saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera responded with skepticism and irony to the state arrest warrant issued by Florida against Raúl Castro. He dismissed it as “blah, blah, blah,” expressing doubt over the effectiveness of ongoing legal actions and sanctions against the Cuban regime.
During an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, D’Rivera reacted to the news that, in addition to the federal indictment on May 20, 2026, Florida had issued a state arrest warrant without bail for the Cuban dictator. The warrant was signed on October 16 by Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan of Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit and was made public three days later by the state's Attorney General, James Uthmeier.
“Oh, how scary, how scary Marco Rubio made me feel. Look, it’s been too long of blah, blah, blah, and sanctions come and go, with threats of arrest. In truth, I see no outcome from this,” the musician stated.
Despite his admiration for Rubio’s early political activism, D’Rivera emphasized that threats without practical consequences are meaningless. “Because they’re threats, blah, blah, blah. And really, there’s nothing, nothing concrete to ease the plight of the Cuban people,” he insisted.
Is There Any Real Impact for Cubans?
When asked what tangible benefit this measure could bring to Cubans, the musician was forthright: “Revenge. A little too late for that.” He echoed a sentiment from musician and composer Tony Taño: “Hey, it’s too late for two meals. Something must be done, something serious for those people.”
D'Rivera also pointed out the practical irony of the state warrant. Florida’s action is separate from the federal indictment and cannot be nullified by a presidential pardon, yet its enforcement relies on Castro setting foot on U.S. soil. The musician noted that the 95-year-old Castro remains in Cuba, and his health makes any travel unlikely.
“And one wonders if Raúl Castro will even leave Cuba in the first place,” commented the artist.
The Feasibility of Enforcing the Warrant
D’Rivera went further, critiquing the extradition mechanism outlined in the warrant. If Castro were detained in another state, authorities would be required to send him to Florida. “But, oh, how ridiculous they are on both sides, man,” he remarked.
The state warrant complements the federal indictment filed in May, which includes seven charges against Castro and five former Cuban military officials for the shooting down of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft on February 24, 1996, resulting in the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.
Meanwhile, Miguel Díaz-Canel defended Raúl Castro, dismissing the warrant as a “pathetic Miami circus.”
D’Rivera concluded with a statement reflecting his stance: “No, no, blah, blah, blah. Sanctions, sanctions, and I still see no result. It used to make me laugh, now it’s just pitiful.” For the musician, the Cuban people remain forgotten, “bearing the full weight of arbitrariness from both sides.”
Understanding the Arrest Warrant for Raúl Castro
What does the Florida arrest warrant for Raúl Castro entail?
The Florida arrest warrant for Raúl Castro is a legal document issued by the state, calling for his arrest without the possibility of bail. It was signed by Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan and announced by Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Why is Paquito D’Rivera skeptical about the warrant?
Paquito D’Rivera is skeptical because he believes that such legal actions and sanctions have not yielded concrete results for the Cuban people, viewing them as empty threats without practical outcomes.
How does the arrest warrant affect Raúl Castro if he remains in Cuba?
The warrant's enforcement depends on Raúl Castro entering U.S. soil, which is unlikely given his age and health, thus having little immediate impact if he stays in Cuba.