Israel Rojas now says that protesting against the crisis in Cuba is almost an obligation

The Cuban singer Israel Rojas, director of the duo Buena Fe and recognized spokesperson for the regime, surprised many with a message posted on where, for the first time, he acknowledges the severity of the situation facing the people and suggests that expressing oneself in light of the crisis is almost a civic duty.

"Everyone has the right, the duty, and almost the obligation to express their pain as they experience it," wrote Rojas.

The interpreter stated that "what we are experiencing is of inefable gravity," and added that the helplessness and anger have become unbearable, to the point that "sometimes I think I won't make it to tomorrow."

Embarrassing past as a defender of repression

Amid the intensification of the crisis in Cuba, Rojas' statement stands in contrast to his history as a defender of the regime.

During the protests on July 11, 2021, when the economic crisis and power outages were already severely affecting the country, he appeared on state television supporting the repression against those who took to the streets to demonstrate.

In May 2023, he denied the existence of political prisoners for participating in those protests, positioning himself as a spokesperson for the official government narratives and downplaying the repression faced by thousands of Cubans demanding their rights.

Now, Rojas admits to feeling consumed by anger and helplessness in the face of "the injustices of all shapes, levels, and boundaries" and expresses gratitude for the solidarity of those who help him "survive one more day by helping another."

With this statement, paradoxically, the artist who once justified repression acknowledges that the pain of the population demands to be expressed and implicitly questions the responsibility of a government unable to guarantee essential services, food, medicine, transportation, and quality education.

Mass protest in Havana

Dozens of citizens have taken to the streets in the Centro Habana municipality, following consecutive days of power outages lasting over 20 hours daily and a chronic shortage of drinking water.

Videos shared by users such as Saúl Manuel and Enrique Hernández show people banging pots and pans, chanting "Freedom!", and lighting bonfires in the middle of public roads, as well as blockades at key intersections where even children participate, reflecting the desperation of entire families due to the lack of basic services.

The energy situation, the epicenter of anger, is not limited to intermittent outages.

According to reports from the Electric Company of Havana, the city has experienced power losses of up to 296 MW during critical times, leaving all blocks without electricity for hours.

This crisis is compounded by a shortage of water, caused by breaks in the Cuenca Sur pipeline and the lack of a constant supply in large areas of the capital.

Neighbors report that, in some cases, they have gone over a month without access to the service, and they have to pay exorbitant amounts for private tankers that barely last a couple of days.

The lack of concrete solutions from the authorities reflects the inefficiency and negligence of the government in managing basic services, which systematically affects the citizens.

Israel Rojas's statement comes at a critical moment, as the collapse of electrical and supply systems coincides with widespread poverty, leaving Cubans trapped in a routine marked by endless blackouts, hunger, shortages of medicine, and a government incapable of responding.

With his message, the singer provides a unique perspective on the urgency of expressing discontent, although his role as a historical defender of the regime underscores the contradiction between his past and the belated acknowledgment of the reality faced by millions of Cubans.

Frequently Asked Questions about Israel Rojas's Stance and the Crisis in Cuba