Israel Rojas, the frontman of the Cuban duo Buena Fe, recently stirred controversy with a statement he made in a video on his Facebook profile. He remarked that in Cuba, elderly individuals are found scavenging through trash, a scene he painted as part of the country's "stark contrasts," comparing it to similar situations in other Latin American nations.
In the video, shared as a reel, Rojas recounts his recent travels to Spain and his return to Havana, where he showcases moments from his everyday life. At one point, he highlights an image he noticed near a school.
"This is the Cuba of stark contrasts that I experience, the same one where you see seniors practicing tai chi in a park, and yet, painfully, next to a school, you have elderly people searching through the garbage, just like in any Latin American country. This is a school, a school that opens every day for kids, a school I hope won't be bombed," Rojas comments in the video.
His remarks sparked critical reactions among social media users. In responses to a clip of the video shared by CiberCuba Noticias, several individuals questioned the comparison with other countries or criticized the singer's stance on Cuba's economic situation.
Some mentioned not witnessing similar scenes in the countries where they reside. "I've never seen elderly people here (abroad) eating from the trash," one person noted.
Others highlighted the disparity between the country's hardships endured by some Cubans and the overseas travels of artists aligned with the government. "There are also people who haven't eaten or bathed in days, while others are touring Europe," another user commented.
The criticisms add to the recent controversy surrounding the duo's performances in Spain. During a concert on March 6 at the Marcelino Camacho Auditorium in Madrid, a Cuban was forcibly removed after shouting slogans against the regime and demanding the release of political prisoners on the island. Videos circulating on social media depict the moment when several attendees pushed the protester out of the venue.
The footage reveals how multiple attendees surrounded the protester inside the auditorium as he shouted "Down with the dictatorship" and "Freedom for political prisoners."
Buena Fe, consisting of Israel Rojas and Yoel Martínez, has faced controversies at various times due to their alignment with the Cuban government and the tensions their concerts often provoke among exiled communities.
Examining the Socioeconomic Challenges in Cuba
What did Israel Rojas say about the situation in Cuba?
Israel Rojas commented on elderly individuals in Cuba searching through trash, describing it as part of the country's "stark contrasts" and comparing it to similar situations in other Latin American countries.
How did social media users react to Rojas' remarks?
Many social media users criticized Rojas' comparison of Cuba to other countries and questioned his perspective on the island's economic challenges, with some stating they hadn't seen similar scenes abroad.
What controversy arose during Buena Fe's concert in Spain?
During a concert in Madrid, a Cuban protester was forcibly removed after shouting slogans against the Cuban regime, demanding the release of political prisoners. The incident was captured on video and widely shared on social media.