While most Cubans are struggling to survive on scraps, juggling to find food or medicine amid the widespread collapse of basic services, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the leader appointed by the Castro family, tours the globe like a millionaire straight out of a luxury magazine. His recent visit to Russia not only reinforced his unwavering loyalty to autocrat Vladimir Putin but also revealed once again his penchant for expensive watches, French silks, and the lifestyle of comfort he denies yet shamelessly flaunts.
During official events held in Moscow — coinciding with Victory Day and bilateral meetings where investments were sought for Cuba's crumbling economy — Díaz-Canel, responsible for the collapse of public services and the economy in Cuba, was spotted wearing an exclusive Rolex GMT-Master II "Batman," valued between 14,000 and 18,000 euros. Additionally, he was photographed wearing an elegant Hermès tie (Faconnée H), crafted from silk and priced at $285, showing no hesitation, as if representing an impoverished and defenseless population granted him the right to adorn himself with symbols of privilege, absolute power, and capitalist success.
In images shared from the tour, the wrist of the Communist Party of Cuba's first secretary "shines" with a stainless steel and ceramic watch, featuring a black and blue bezel, the same admired by collectors and executives in the developed world for its precision and status. Accompanying him, the "non-first lady" — skilled in the art of accompanying the "dictator of her heart" on international trips — did not lag behind and displayed a series of accessories and outfits that also drew comments on social media. Lis Cuesta Peraza, a Ministry of Culture (MINCULT) official, has previously been photographed wearing watches and accessories that exceed the annual salary of any Cuban professional.
Public Reaction and Social Media Outrage
The reaction on social media was immediate. Hundreds of Cuban users, both on and off the island, questioned how a leader who calls on his people to "creatively resist" can brazenly display luxury items. "The extravagant lifestyle of Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta knows no bounds," wrote user @Taoro8, sharing images of the Swiss watch and the expensive Parisian tie.
The Salary Mystery: How Does Díaz-Canel Afford This Lifestyle?
One persistent question amid the scandal is: how does Díaz-Canel maintain this lifestyle with his salary? Official information, never transparently released, suggests the Cuban president earns a symbolic figure that wouldn't even cover the cost of his Hermès tie. If these items weren't purchased with his salary, were they gifts? If so, it opens another Pandora's box.
In advanced democracies like Spain, legislation prohibits high-ranking officials from accepting high-value gifts to prevent conflicts of interest and corruption [Transparency, Access to Public Information, and Good Governance Law (Law 19/2013)]. In fact, there have been scandals and even legal proceedings for accepting watches, suits, or paid trips. But in Cuba, where the leadership is accountable to no one, this type of behavior has become customary. It is the "state capitalism" of the 21st century: the people endure and resist while communist leaders indulge in Rolexes, fine wool coats, private jets, and lavish receptions.
Lis Cuesta: The "Non-First Lady" of Velvet and Labels
Díaz-Canel's wife, Lis Cuesta, is no exception. Since assuming a public role — in a country with no tradition of visible first ladies — she has flaunted a wardrobe aspiring to emulate the displays of Chanel or Louis Vuitton, often without success despite the cost or exclusivity of her attire. At academic and official events, she has been photographed with luxury watches, designer accessories, and Parisian salon hairstyles. Her image as a "protocol companion" is the subject of constant ridicule and is offensive in a country where thousands of women must choose each month between buying soap or milk for their children.
Regarding her ambiguous role within the regime's institutional framework and power, it is also worth questioning this official's salary and whether it allows her to acquire such luxury items. "Cuban women are well-suited to resist and progress," Cuesta Peraza said in late March, partaking in the orgy of luxury and hypocrisy gaining followers among the regime's leaders. Beyond the double standards of the Palace's inhabitants, the lingering question about the MINCULT official's presence in Cuban official delegations remains: Is or isn't Cuesta Peraza finally the first lady of the regime?
The Stepson of Luxury
If anything completes this portrait of a ruling class detached from the people's suffering, it's the son of Lis Cuesta and presumed advisor to his stepfather, Manuel Anido Cuesta, known for his comfortable lifestyle outside Cuba, alongside actress Ana de Armas, a star of La Colmenita who has graced Hollywood's big screen. According to press notes and social media posts, Anido Cuesta lives in a luxurious Madrid neighborhood and mingles with high-income circles alongside his partner. His profile, more akin to an influencer than the offspring of a "revolutionary family," has drawn harsh criticism for embodying everything the regime's propaganda condemns: luxury, leisure, and privilege.
An Insult to the People's Misery
While Díaz-Canel smiles beside war criminal Putin and signs agreements that are unlikely to alleviate Cubans' daily catastrophe, the population remains mired in a landscape of power outages, collapsed hospitals, paralyzed transportation, and growing poverty. The contrast is so stark it borders on obscenity: in Havana, a mother pleads for antibiotics for her feverish child; in Moscow, the president signs books with a Montblanc pen while sporting a Rolex made of steel and ceramic.
This is not an isolated case. The ostentation of the Cuban elite has become commonplace. And instead of concealing it, they seem to display it with pride. The "presidential image" Díaz-Canel seeks to build relies more on the visual marketing of a tropical monarch than on popular legitimacy. Every time he adjusts his Hermès tie or checks the time on his Swiss Rolex, he only reminds Cubans who is on top, who is beneath... and who foots the bill.
Questions on Díaz-Canel's Lifestyle and Public Perception
How does Díaz-Canel afford luxury items on his salary?
Official information suggests that Díaz-Canel's salary is symbolic and insufficient to justify his luxury purchases. The origin of these items remains unclear, raising questions about potential gifts and the lack of transparency in his financial affairs.
What is the public reaction to Díaz-Canel's luxury displays?
The public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with many criticizing the display of wealth by Díaz-Canel and his wife as hypocritical and offensive, given the widespread poverty and hardships faced by the Cuban population.
Is Lis Cuesta considered the first lady of Cuba?
Lis Cuesta's role as the first lady is ambiguous, as Cuba has no tradition of visible first ladies. Her presence in official delegations and public events has sparked debate and criticism regarding her status and influence within the regime.