Israel Rojas, leader of the duo Buena Fe and a consistent voice for Cuba's cultural regime, recently waded into the political arena to discuss the special address given by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
In a post shared on Facebook, the musician unequivocally supported the leader's speech, advocating for state secrecy as a legitimate strategy to combat what he termed a "multicrisis."
Rojas admitted to listening to parts of the presidential address "sporadically," interrupted by power outages and connectivity issues—a reluctant admission of the country's dire state—yet he praised the "interesting" measures introduced by Díaz-Canel.
Among these measures were permissions for partnerships between state and private entities, the welcoming of investments from Cubans living abroad, and the promotion of solar panels for private use.
Beyond the façade of government optimism, the musician concentrated on justifying the government's silence. "It's legitimate not to disclose everything done with foreign countries or international organizations," he wrote, defending secrecy under the guise of national security.
His stance aligned with the propaganda narrative that attempts to spin a lack of transparency into a patriotic virtue. By referring to a "multicrisis," Rojas acknowledged the severity of the country's situation but diffused responsibility through collective rhetoric: everyone suffers, everyone must endure, everyone must trust... and remain silent.
This trust, however, seemed more like a plea for belief than a solution to reality. When Rojas called for "building trust in ourselves," he did so from the perspective that implicitly recognizes the regime can no longer provide certainties or solutions, only narratives and slogans.
From Epic to Resentment While the musician tried to appear calm and constructive in his analysis, CiberCuba's coverage of his "venerable elder and his family" episode caused him to lose his composure once more, leading to another social media outburst.
"Cibermierda says they spoke to me through the 'earpiece.' That's right, but the superlative, they have it in the '7'," he wrote, accompanying the message with laughter and emojis—a crude and sexist remark revealing his true state of mind.
The wordplay—turning "pinganillo" (earpiece) into "pinga" (a vulgar term for penis) and "7" (anus, in Cuban slang)—exposed a level of aggression and vulgarity that starkly contrasted with his preachings of respect and unity.
The Troubadour of Disillusionment The contradiction is evident: while Díaz-Canel strives to maintain the narrative of "unity and resistance," and Rojas echoes it with patriotic rhetoric, the regime's anxiety seeps through the cracks of language.
The use of terms like "multicrisis" and the call for "trust" are symptoms of a government that has lost its moral authority and retreats into the rhetoric of faith.
Instead of bolstering the credibility of the discourse, Rojas further undermines it: his paternalistic tone, submissiveness to power, and fits of rage paint him as what he has become—a troubadour overwhelmed, caught between leader worship and his own frustration.
The singer who aspired to be the voice of the people has ended up as the voice of disillusionment, advocating for silence and responding with vulgarities to those who remind him of it.
Understanding Israel Rojas' Political Stance
What did Israel Rojas support in Díaz-Canel’s speech?
Israel Rojas supported the state secrecy and the measures proposed by Díaz-Canel, such as partnerships between state and private actors, investments from Cubans abroad, and the promotion of solar panels.
How did Israel Rojas react to criticism from CiberCuba?
Rojas reacted with aggression and vulgarity, using derogatory language in response to CiberCuba's coverage, which contrasted sharply with his calls for respect and unity.
What does the term "multicrisis" signify in the context of Cuba?
In this context, "multicrisis" refers to the various overlapping challenges that Cuba faces, including economic difficulties, power outages, and social unrest, as acknowledged by Israel Rojas.