Related videos:
Amid the deepest crisis Cuba has faced in decades, characterized by blackouts and shortages of basic products, the wife of the ruler, Lis Cuesta, continues to showcase luxuries during her official trips.
During his visit to China alongside Miguel Díaz-Canel, Cuesta shared a photo on X of his visit to the artist Liu Qipei, recognized by UNESCO as a Master of Silhouette.
However, what caught the most attention was not the cultural meeting, but the expensive cellphone he was holding in the picture: a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, which costs between $1,200 and $1,300 in the United States depending on the capacity, and over 1,300 euros in Europe.
Specialists who analyzed the image confirmed that it is one of the most recent models from Samsung's foldable series, introduced to the market starting with the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
The device has features that allow it to be marketed as a luxury item in various countries: a clamshell foldable design, two vertically aligned rear cameras, and a rectangular external screen.
Watches and luxury accessories
The mobile phone is not the only symbol of opulence that Lis Cuesta has showcased in China.
During this same visit to China, she was seen wearing brand-name glasses.
He has also worn a Cartier watch, which could exceed $12,000.
It would be the same model she wore in December 2022 when she defended her doctoral thesis, which is listed in official catalogs of the French brand for over 13,000 dollars.
Lis Cuesta's arrogance and pretentiousness are also evident in her behavior on social media, where she presents herself as if she were a government figure, despite not holding any high-level position and not even being recognized as the first lady.
In X, the authority to speak on behalf of "our universities and organizations" is attributed to her, as if she were a representative of the power structure, and she announces new ties between Cuban institutions and the Beijing Academy of Business.
A lifestyle foreign to Cuban reality
The excesses of Lis Cuesta and her husband are not limited to watches or phones.
In December 2022, she was recorded shopping at a shopping center in Granada, accompanied by two bodyguards, one of whom was her own son.
On that occasion, he was heard saying, "I'm looking for a sweater for a boy that has pirates," a phrase that went viral as a symbol of disconnection from the people who live in absolute scarcity.
On his part, Díaz-Canel has also faced criticism for the repeated use of a private plane rented from the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, which costs 11,000 dollars per flight hour.
It is an Airbus A330-200 that is being used on this tour of Asia, and which has already been employed for visits to the Middle East and the UN in New York.
Criticism of the Cuban dictatorship
The images of Lis Cuesta with cutting-edge smartphones, luxury glasses, and watches worth thousands of dollars have become a symbol of the reality of contemporary Cuba: a ruling elite living it up in exclusive hotels, stores, and airplanes.
Meanwhile, millions of Cubans endure power outages lasting more than 20 hours a day, inflation that devastates salaries, and a healthcare system that is collapsing due to a lack of medicine and basic supplies.
Díaz-Canel's wife, without an official title but enjoying all the privileges, represents the most obscene face of a regime that preaches austerity and resilience while indulging in luxuries that she could never afford on a salary.
His constant presence at official tours is proof that the dictatorship is not only fortified politically but also within the family, ensuring benefits and privileges for its own.
In a country where children go to school without milk, hospitals lack sutures, and people cook with firewood because there is no electricity, the photos of Lis Cuesta with her over-thousand-dollar Samsung and a luxury Cartier are an insult that encapsulates the essence of power in Cuba: disconnection, impunity, and absolute contempt for the people.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lis Cuesta's Luxuries and the Crisis in Cuba
What luxuries does Lis Cuesta showcase during her tour in Asia?
Lis Cuesta has been seen with an expensive Samsung Galaxy Z Flip phone, designer glasses, and a Cartier watch, all while accompanying Miguel Díaz-Canel on his tour of Asia. These items starkly contrast with the economic reality faced by Cubans on the island, where the population endures constant shortages and blackouts.
What is the cost of the plane that Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta are traveling on?
The chartered plane costs 11,000 dollars per flight hour. It is an Airbus A330-200 from the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, the same one they have used in previous international tours. This figure is particularly outrageous for Cubans who live on very low salaries and face rampant inflation.
Why is Lis Cuesta's presence on official tours controversial?
Lis Cuesta does not hold any official position in the Cuban government, however, she regularly participates in official tours alongside Díaz-Canel, showcasing luxury items. This situation has sparked criticism because in Cuba, the people face severe shortages, while the ruling elite flaunts an extravagant lifestyle that is disconnected from the reality of the citizens.
How does the lifestyle of the Cuban elite compare to the situation of the people?
The Cuban elite, represented by Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta, enjoys luxuries and comforts, such as expensive watches, designer clothing, and private jet travel, while the Cuban people face a deep economic crisis. This disparity highlights the disconnect between the regime's leaders and the daily lives of citizens, who suffer from food shortages, blackouts, and a collapsed healthcare system.
Filed under: