Díaz-Canel and Marrero march for Palestine in Havana wearing sneakers from American brands.

In the midst of the profound economic crisis facing the Cuban people, Miguel Díaz-Canel and Manuel Marrero, the president and prime minister of the island, respectively, participated in a march in support of Palestine in Havana while wearing U.S. brand sneakers that cost over 100 dollars.

The contrast between the official discourse condemning the U.S. government and the choice of luxury footwear has generated a wave of criticism on social media, where the coherence of the leaders is called into question in a country that constantly denounces the blockade as the main cause of the (countless) hardships suffered by the population.

The march, called in solidarity with the Palestinian people, had a meager turnout - every day the communist government has less power to mobilize - began at Fragua Martiana and ended at the anti-imperialist platform in front of the United States Embassy on the island.

However, the attention was not only focused on the political act but also on the sneakers worn by the leaders: Díaz-Canel sported Nikes, while Marrero chose Skechers, brands that are out of reach for most Cubans.

In a context where retirees earn less than five dollars a month and many workers do not exceed 15 dollars, the contrast became evident and clearly reflects the regime's double (triple, quadruple…) standards.

But what can you expect from a president who said that the first thermometer to know the state of opinion of the population is his friends and family? Friends and family? Seriously?

Social media was filled with sarcastic comments and criticisms about the disconnect between the ruling class and the reality experienced by the people, where daily survival is a constant struggle for millions. And the question is, what about the blockade? Well, it seems to only exist for the ordinary Cuban.