The Cuban leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, received the renowned American actor, director, and producer Kevin Costner this Monday at the Palace of the Revolution.
Costner is currently visiting the Island with "interest in underwater archaeology," specified the Presidency of Cuba in a tweet to distance the meeting from any political connotation.
This is the second occasion on which the Oscar winner visits Cuba. His first stay in the Caribbean nation occurred in 2001, when he presented his film Thirteen Days, based on the missile crisis of 1962.
During that visit, he met with Fidel Castro for several hours, which generated some controversy due to the political situation in Cuba and the relations with the United States.
On this occasion, Costner visited the Castillo de La Real Fuerza Museum in Havana, where he expressed particular interest in the underwater archaeology pieces that are part of the museum's collection.
Accompanied by the Cuban underwater archaeologist Alejandro Mirabal, Costner toured the historic building and was welcomed by the deputy director of the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, Perla Rosales Aguirreurret.
On the other hand, no further details have been revealed about the meeting with Díaz-Canel, apart from what was published by the Presidency of Cuba, which released a photo of the actor and the president greeting each other.
However, this type of meeting cannot be analyzed in isolation.
The Cuban regime has historically used visits from foreign celebrities as a tool for legitimization during times of tension.
Amidst a profound economic crisis, characterized by shortages of food, medicine, and a mass exodus of Cubans, the arrival of an international figure like Kevin Costner allows the government to project an image of normalcy and cultural appeal.
The meeting with Díaz-Canel, although supposedly non-political, reinforces the strategy of portraying Cuba as a destination where foreign personalities are warmly welcomed and collaborate with state institutions. However, this narrative overlooks the political repression and the humanitarian crisis faced by the Cuban population.
Furthermore, unlike other celebrities who have visited Cuba and expressed their opinions on the reality of the country, Costner has maintained a neutral stance, avoiding statements that could be interpreted as criticisms of the regime.
However, this does not prevent their image from being used by the government's propaganda apparatus to reinforce the idea that Cuba remains an attractive destination for international figures.
The visit of Costner comes at a time when relations between Cuba and the United States are at a standstill. Following a brief rapprochement during the administration of Barack Obama (2009-2017), the restrictions imposed during the first presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021) and largely maintained by former President Joe Biden (2021-2025) have limited the flow of tourists and agreements between the two countries.
In this scenario, the arrival of a Hollywood actor can be viewed as an opportunity for the regime to send a message that it can still attract influential personalities from the United States, even when the official relationship between both governments remains tense.
Frequently asked questions about Kevin Costner's visit to Cuba and the political context
Why did Kevin Costner visit Cuba in 2025?
Kevin Costner visited Cuba in 2025 with a particular interest in underwater archaeology. This visit is not related to political matters, according to the Presidency of Cuba, and focuses on the actor's personal interest in the cultural and archaeological heritage of the island.
What was the context of the meeting between Díaz-Canel and Kevin Costner?
The meeting between Miguel Díaz-Canel and Kevin Costner took place at the Palace of the Revolution. No additional details about the content of the conversation have been disclosed, other than the fact that the encounter was cordial and focused on the actor's cultural interest in underwater archaeology in Cuba.
What has been Kevin Costner's historical relationship with Cuba?
Kevin Costner visited Cuba for the first time in 2001 to present his film "Thirteen Days," which deals with the missile crisis of 1962. During that visit, he met with Fidel Castro, which sparked some controversy due to the political situation between Cuba and the United States at that time.
What significance does Costner's visit have for the Cuban regime?
The visit of Kevin Costner to Cuba has been used by the official press to highlight the cultural ties between Cuba and the United States. The regime is trying to project a positive image amid an economic and social crisis, using visits from personalities to strengthen its cultural presence on the international stage.
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