Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and his wife Lis Cuesta are staying in a luxury hotel area in the capital of Honduras, where they are attending the IX Summit of CELAC.
The presidential couple is staying at a high-end hotel complex located in the exclusive Palmira neighborhood, an area heavily guarded due to the presence of several heads of state, including Luis Arce from Bolivia and Díaz-Canel himself, who are attending the handover of the pro-tempore presidency of CELAC to Colombian president Gustavo Petro, as reported by the local media HCH Televisión Digital on Facebook.
Ya Lis Cuesta —popularly known as the "not first lady" of Cuba— had drawn media and social media attention as she descended from a private jet in Tegucigalpa, wearing a pair of Gucci sunglasses valued at over 300 euros.
According to specialists, the model used by Cuesta would include polarized lenses with magnification, which would raise its total price to over 800 euros — an amount that is several times the monthly minimum wage on the island.
Dozens of internet users have criticized that "the socialist friends of the people have a more capitalist lifestyle than Trump himself" and that the presidential couple is staying in a luxury hotel area—where socialism is practiced better among Egyptian cotton sheets and buffet breakfast—while attending the IX Summit of CELAC, where they talk about "resistance" while enjoying almond milk cappuccinos.
Lis, affectionately nicknamed by the social media as the "not first lady but first in luxury," joins the tradition of Cuban leaders who speak of austerity while wearing Rolex, Cartier, and TAG Heuer.
Everything sounds very much like "creative resistance," of course, the Cubans remember, who agree that in Cuba, communism continues to advance: for the people, rationed bread; for the leaders, fine Habano, luxuries, and five-star dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ostentation and Luxury of the Díaz-Canel Family
Where did Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta stay during their visit to Honduras?
Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta stayed in a luxurious hotel area in the exclusive Palmira neighborhood of Tegucigalpa. This area is known for its high status and strong security due to the presence of prominent heads of state, which stands in stark contrast to the economic situation of most Cubans.
What eye-catching accessory did Lis Cuesta wear upon her arrival in Honduras?
Lis Cuesta wore sunglasses from the Italian brand Gucci, which can be valued at over 800 euros if they include polarized lenses with magnification. This luxury has been perceived as a demonstration of the disconnection between the lifestyle of the Cuban elite and the reality of the Cuban people.
Why has the relationship between Manuel Anido Cuesta and Ana de Armas caused controversy?
The relationship of Manuel Anido Cuesta, stepson of Miguel Díaz-Canel, with Ana de Armas has sparked controversy due to the contrast between his luxurious lifestyle in Europe and the economic crisis in Cuba. Anido has been seen in Madrid wearing high-end clothing, which highlights the incongruity between the official rhetoric of the Cuban regime and the reality of its leaders.
What is the public perception of the luxuries of Díaz-Canel's family?
The ostentation of Díaz-Canel's family has sparked criticism for its disconnection from the situation of the Cuban people. The use of luxuries by the Cuban political elite is seen as a blatant contradiction to the official discourse of austerity and sacrifice. These actions fuel social discontent in a context of economic deprivation on the island.
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