Cuban saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera refrained from passing judgment on the Cuban people during his conversation with Tania Costa for CiberCuba. He emphasized, "You can't expect someone who is extremely hungry to reject a can of Russian meat saying they won't eat it."
However, D'Rivera did address the enduring presence of Cuba's ration book, which has been in place since 1962. Acknowledged by the regime as its primary distribution tool, this system has been shaping the relationship between the state and its citizens for over six decades. According to D'Rivera, it has left a significant mark on the collective psyche of the Cuban people.
To illustrate a more profound awareness of one's rights, D'Rivera recounted the story of a Venezuelan woman who complained at a store not because of scarcity, but due to monotony. "Why do I have to eat the same thing every day?" This question, he noted, reflects a qualitatively different demand: the pursuit of dignity, not just quantity.
Continuing on this theme, the musician cited the Polish union Solidarity as an example of a people capable of organizing and collectively resisting communism, contrasting it implicitly with the Cuban response to their regime.
This reflection comes during an especially eventful week for D'Rivera. Last Friday, he captured a viral moment by photographing Aleida Guevara, Che Guevara's daughter, at the Business counters of Air Europa. He shared the image with the caption, "It's easy to be a communist, comrade." According to the interview, Guevara did not appreciate the remark.
The week also saw D'Rivera participate in celebrating Chucho Valdés' 85th birthday at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, where both musicians—cofounders of Irakere in 1973—performed together.
On international politics, D'Rivera was equally straightforward but cautious. He firmly opposed any rapprochement between the United States and Russia, stating, "I hope we don't ally ourselves with all those bandits who have caused so much pain to us and the rest of the world." He also criticized withdrawing support from Ukraine: "Taking away support from someone as beloved as Zelenski, the Ukrainian, seems to me an absurd and cruel act." He quickly clarified, "But I refrain from political opinions unless they concern my own country."
This isn't the first time D'Rivera has voiced such disappointment. In August 2025, he expressed his "immeasurable" disillusionment with the Cuban people and musicians from the island. Earlier this year, he was explicit about the improbability of a Venezuelan-style transition with the Castros in power: "The same people who destroyed Cuba are not going to rebuild it."
Understanding Paquito D'Rivera's Views on Cuba and International Politics
What is Paquito D'Rivera's stance on the Cuban ration book?
Paquito D'Rivera criticizes the Cuban ration book system, highlighting its long-term impact on the relationship between citizens and the state, and its negative effect on the collective mentality of the Cuban people.
How does D'Rivera compare Cuban and Polish responses to communism?
D'Rivera contrasts the Cuban response to communism with the Polish union Solidarity, which successfully organized and resisted communism collectively, highlighting a difference in civic action.
What is D'Rivera's opinion on the United States' international relations?
D'Rivera opposes any rapprochement between the United States and Russia and criticizes the withdrawal of support for Ukraine, viewing such actions as detrimental and cruel.