Renowned troubadour Silvio Rodríguez has recently expressed his view that, in a sense, Cuba has perpetually been in a state of crisis.
During a visit to Chile, Rodríguez was interviewed by Diario UdeChile on February 7th. He stated, "In a way, we have always been in crisis. It's quite critical—very critical—to envision a world ruled by compassion and altruism. That is the root of everything that happens to us."
Rodríguez emphasized that his approach to addressing Cuba's issues involves removing the "R" from what is known as the Revolution.
When questioned about his call to revolutionize the revolution, Rodríguez responded, "I've also mentioned that we should take away the R. Notice how it would look then."
Speaking in a general and philosophical manner, Rodríguez refrained from delving into specific problems facing Cuba today, stating, "The uglier the scene looks, the more I feel urged to create beauty."
He also described himself as "a person with immense luck. For being born where and when I was; for choosing a craft that allows me to keep playing, embracing my inner child forever."
Subtle Criticisms
In March 2025, the singer-songwriter published a piece titled "Otro ojalá," where he voiced concerns over the "loss of national dignity" following images of luxury and extravagance at the Habano Festival.
"Various signs suggest a gradual disappearance of national dignity," Rodríguez wrote, pointing to the country's "involution" and the disrespect towards national symbols.
The text, which circulated widely on social media, was seen as an indirect critique of Díaz-Canel himself and prompted a swift response from Leticia Martínez Hernández, head of communications for the leader, who defended the regime's management.
The controversy highlighted the tension between official narratives and more reflective artistic expressions, even within the cultural sector that has historically supported the government.
Understanding Silvio Rodríguez's Perspective
What does Silvio Rodríguez mean by removing the "R" from the Revolution?
Silvio Rodríguez suggests that by removing the "R" from the Revolution, it signifies a need for change and re-evaluation of the current state of affairs in Cuba.
How did Silvio Rodríguez express his concerns about national dignity?
Rodríguez published a text titled "Otro ojalá," in which he highlighted the gradual disappearance of national dignity and criticized the ostentatious display of luxury at the Habano Festival.