A tumultuous fight broke out early Monday morning during the concert of Cuban reggaeton artist Ja Rulay at the Tropicana Santiago cabaret, creating chaos among the attendees and necessitating the intervention of law enforcement.
According to a report on Facebook by independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, the incident occurred at the height of the show's excitement, when the artist performed his song “Se Calentó,” accompanied by background singers who were also energizing the audience.
Videos shared on social networks show dozens of people throwing chairs and bottles, while others fled the scene to avoid being hit.
The altercation was of such magnitude that members of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and the so-called "black berets" had to intervene to calm the situation. The exact causes of the confrontation have not yet been clarified, although some witnesses mentioned disputes between rival groups within the crowd.
The tickets for the concert were officially sold for 2,000 CUP (equivalent to about 8 dollars at the current informal exchange rate), but in resale, they were listed for as much as 3,500 Cuban pesos per ticket, according to posts on platforms like Revolico.
That figure is equivalent to the monthly salary of many Cuban state workers, which highlights the growing inequality in access to entertainment events.
Ja Rulay's visit had already caused a stir in Santiago, with crowds following him upon his arrival last weekend. The violence unleashed at the Tropicana, however, has left a bitter taste among the artist's fans and reignites the debate about safety at mass events in Cuba.
Ja Rulay: Between Luxury, Ostentation, and Political Silence
Ja Rulay, one of the most popular representatives of street reggaeton in Cuba, has built his public image on ostentation: luxury cars, exclusive clothing, wads of cash, and shopping at stores of brands like Louis Vuitton.
On his social media, he has boasted about driving a Cadillac Escalade through Havana (the famous "we look like we're over there when we're actually here"), driving a Mercedes-Benz while tossing money into the air, or giving away shoes worth over 300 dollars to his followers.
The artist, however, avoids any political positioning. He has called for police action against the proliferation of drug trafficking, but has not issued criticisms of the system, which allows him to navigate with some freedom in spaces controlled by the power on the island.
His speech, focused on "overcoming" and "living well", aligns with the narrative of the "continuity" of Miguel Díaz-Canel's government, which promotes individual success as long as it does not challenge the political structure.
This profile has turned him into a tolerated figure and even promoted in certain official circles, in contrast to critical or dissenting artists, who often face censorship or repression.
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