Cuban troubadour Silvio Rodríguez expressed admiration for Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny during a controversial dinner held Monday at a restaurant in Old Havana. Rodríguez was accompanied by his family and former "Podemos" leader, Pablo Iglesias.
According to a report by Diario Red, Mexican journalist Estefanía Veloz, who was also present at the dinner, posed the question to the 79-year-old musician: "Silvio, what are your thoughts on Bad Bunny?"
Rodríguez praised several of Bad Bunny's songs, highlighting "Hawái" for its social message, the Puerto Rican artist's influence on younger generations, and the grandeur of his performances.
"The song 'Hawái' is something I enjoy. I think it's crucial to discuss it, as it carries a strong message that other communities can relate to. These are good songs," Rodríguez remarked.
"He's also an impressive artist; his shows are spectacular. The flag display (at the Super Bowl) was significant," he added.
The Meeting of Two Worlds
The juxtaposition of the revolutionary troubadour—an iconic figure of Cuban Nueva Trova who has declared, "I've never been disillusioned" with the Cuban regime—and Bad Bunny, the globally popular trap and reggaeton artist, sparked a flurry of reactions on social media.
Controversy Surrounding the Visit
The dinner took place amid the contentious visit of the Convoy Nuestra América, organized by Progressive International, which arrived in Cuba on March 21 with approximately 20 tons of humanitarian aid—food, medicine, and solar panels—and 650 delegates from 33 countries, including Jeremy Corbyn and Hasan Piker.
President Díaz-Canel hosted the delegation at the Palacio de Convenciones, after which Pablo Iglesias commented that the crisis in Cuba "is certainly challenging, but not as it is being portrayed from outside," a statement that drew sharp criticism in Spain for downplaying the island's situation from a position of privilege.
Moreover, the presence of these international leftist figures has been met with strong criticism from Cubans both on the island and abroad, who condemn the contrast between the visitors' celebratory meetings, their stays in luxury hotels, and the severe crisis afflicting the country.
As highlighted by CiberCuba, 'the city crumbles while they sing': power outages lasting up to 20 hours, shortages of food and medicine, and building collapses in Havana.
Recent Controversies Involving Rodríguez
This incident adds to a series of recent controversies involving Rodríguez. On March 18, the troubadour and musician Michel Torres publicly called for an "AKM" to confront a potential U.S. invasion, a statement that sparked reactions regarding armed propaganda amid Cuba's lack of electricity and food.
Four days after the AKM controversy, a Cuban artist accused Rodríguez of being a "pawn of the dictatorship." In an October 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Rodríguez had stated, "I've never been disillusioned" with the Cuban regime, a declaration that ignited criticism over the privileges he enjoys while the population endures the worst crisis in decades.
Silvio Rodríguez and Bad Bunny: A Surprising Admiration
What did Silvio Rodríguez say about Bad Bunny?
Silvio Rodríguez praised Bad Bunny's songs, particularly "Hawái," for its social message and the artist's impact on younger generations.
Why was the dinner in Old Havana controversial?
The dinner was controversial due to the presence of international leftist figures visiting Cuba amidst a severe crisis, contrasting with the celebratory nature of their meetings.
What is the Convoy Nuestra América?
The Convoy Nuestra América is an initiative led by Progressive International that brought humanitarian aid to Cuba, including food, medicine, and solar panels, along with 650 delegates from 33 countries.