The Director of Events at the Ministry of Culture and wife of the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta Peraza, announced this Tuesday on her X account that the musician Israel Rojas, leader of the group Buena Fe, will be in her classroom at the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) as part of an academic debate on Cultural Industries.
"I have had a happy and productive exchange with Israel from B.F (Buena Fe). He will be in my classroom at the ISA," wrote Cuesta, who also stated that "the Management career will be honored by creators who break barriers and have much to contribute."
The announcement comes just 24 hours after an interview with Rojas on the YouTube channel La Joven Cuba sparked an intense wave of criticism for what many described as a desperate attempt at "discursive rearrangement" within the government.
In the conversation, the musician spoke of national reconciliation and suggested the possibility of a pardon for some prisoners from 11J, but without mentioning repression, state violence, or the authoritarianism that has characterized the regime in recent years.
Israel Rojas is one of the musicians most aligned with the power. He publicly defends the government, denies the existence of political prisoners, and delegitimizes the protesters from July 11th, aligning himself with the narrative that labels them as criminals or misguided. Even in 2023, he continued to evade the topic: “As far as I know, no,” he replied when asked about political prisoners.
For this reason, his rhetorical shift has been met with skepticism. Instead of a break with impunity, his words were interpreted as a calculated ambiguity, beneficial to the regime but disconnected from the real pain that thousands of Cuban families endure while still waiting for justice.
The sudden inclusion of Rojas as a "reference" in Lis Cuesta's classroom has been interpreted as a new step in the government's strategy to recycle worn-out figures, giving them space within institutions aligned with power while avoiding any fundamental questioning of the system.
It is no coincidence that Lis Cuesta, a figure without an official position but with significant influence in Cuban public life, leads this symbolic rehabilitation. Her history is well known; she transitioned from a cultural official in Holguín to an event organizer, companion on presidential tours, and a fervent defender of Castroism on social media, where she has been involved in several scandals, from calling Díaz-Canel the "dictator of my heart" to minimizing the impact of the energy crisis in 2022 with insensitive remarks.
His attempt to establish the ISA as a "space for debate" contrasts sharply with the institutional silence in the face of the siege, censorship, and forced exile of dozens of artists who dared to dissent.
Frequently asked questions about the debate at ISA with Israel Rojas and the influence of Lis Cuesta
Why will Israel Rojas participate in a debate at the ISA?
Israel Rojas will participate in a debate at the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) as part of an academic discussion on Cultural Industries, announced Lis Cuesta, Events Director of the Ministry of Culture and wife of Miguel Díaz-Canel. This event has been perceived as an attempt by the regime to recycle figures aligned with the government, giving them space within institutions affiliated with power.
What has the recent interview with Israel Rojas generated?
Israel Rojas's interview on La Joven Cuba's YouTube channel has sparked a wave of criticism. It was viewed as an attempt at discourse reorganization within the government, as Rojas spoke about national reconciliation, but without addressing state repression or the regime's violence, which many interpreted as a survival strategy rather than a genuine change.
What is Lis Cuesta's role in the Cuban cultural debate?
Lis Cuesta has been active in promoting cultural debates and events in Cuba, even participating in discussions about musical genres such as distribution. However, her efforts to consolidate spaces for debate stand in stark contrast to the institutional silence regarding censorship and the exile of dissenting artists, which has led to criticism about her true influence and role in the Cuban cultural system.
How has the participation of Israel Rojas and Lis Cuesta in these events been interpreted?
The participation of Israel Rojas and Lis Cuesta in these events has been seen as a strategy by the regime to project a false openness to dialogue, while avoiding questioning the system. Despite attempts to present an image of debate and reconciliation, many believe that these efforts are more of a public relations maneuver to maintain ideological control.
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