The official Cuban musician Arnaldo Rodríguez defended Lis Cuesta, the wife of Miguel Díaz-Canel, following her appearance on the program "Cuadrando la Caja," where she discussed cultural events and their impact on the Cuban economy.
Rodríguez praised the intervention of the unpopular first lady of the island, and stated in a Facebook post that "she did well."
"Excellent, Lis Cuesta, on the cultural events! Very accurate. I completely agree with your insights on the topic. It's worth watching the entire program; she did a great job!" said the singer.
Cuesta's defense addresses the criticism that has emerged following her appearance on television as a Doctor of Sciences and expert in Cultural Economics, on a panel alongside Fernando León Jacomino, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Michel Torres Corona, host of the program "Con Filo."
During the intervention, Cuesta defended the idea that cultural events are a significant source of income for the Cuban economy, stating that "they do generate profits," although he did not provide figures or details on how these resources are managed.
He also stated that these events, many of which are exclusive and extremely expensive, "cannot be denied to the people" simply because there is a context of crisis.
In his opinion, culture has played a key role in attracting tourism, especially when Cuba was primarily recognized as a sun and beach destination.
Despite this, he avoided mentioning the issues related to the delayed payments to artists and cultural entities, a recurring topic in the sector.
Arnaldo is one of the staunchest official artists who supports the narrative of the communist government and critiques—甚至 mocks—the growing number of voices demanding change in Cuba.
He recently composed "Aquí no hay marcha atrás," a song that celebrates the lives of Cubans facing blackouts and using wood cook stoves, recorded alongside other official singers such as Mayito Rivera and Osdalgia.
In December, he was chosen to close the March of the Combatant People convened by Díaz-Canel to conclude the session period of the National Assembly. On that occasion, he held a concert on the Malecón in Havana, which was attended by barely a hundred people.
The show was a complete failure. The lack of audience was more than evident; however, he distorted reality and shared a video on his social media that belonged to a different performance, not the promotional event.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arnaldo Rodríguez and Lis Cuesta in Cuba
Why did Arnaldo Rodríguez defend Lis Cuesta on television?
Arnaldo Rodríguez defended Lis Cuesta following her appearance on the program "Cuadrando la Caja," praising her contribution regarding the impact of cultural events on the Cuban economy. This defense comes in response to criticisms directed at Cuesta, who has been presented as an expert in Cultural Economics, despite not having a significant background in that field.
What did Lis Cuesta say about cultural events in Cuba?
Lis Cuesta stated that cultural events are an important source of income for the Cuban economy and that "they do generate profits." However, she did not provide specific figures or explain how these resources are managed, which has led to skepticism and criticism due to the lack of transparency in the handling of these revenues.
What is Arnaldo Rodríguez's relationship with the Cuban government?
Arnaldo Rodríguez is a well-known defender of the Castro regime and has supported the official narrative of the Cuban government. Recently, he composed a song that praises life in Cuba under the current regime and has participated in events organized by the government, demonstrating a close relationship with the ruling elite on the island.
How has Lis Cuesta's intervention been received in the Cuban media?
Lis Cuesta's intervention in the media has been criticized for her lack of experience and concrete data regarding the economic impact of culture in Cuba. Despite being presented as an expert, Cuesta did not provide specific details or figures to support her claims, which has led to mistrust among the audience and critics of the regime.
Filed under:
