Days after the Super Bowl, the halftime show continues to be a topic of discussion. Beyond the staging, the choreography, and the guest appearances, social media continues to analyze and dissect every moment, including the song choice of Ricky Martin during his brief appearance alongside Bad Bunny.
The singer performed a fragment of the song “What Happened to Hawaii”, a song that many have interpreted as a metaphor for sovereignty, identity, and the fear of losing autonomy. The phrase —“I don't want them to do to you what happened to Hawaii”— once again brought to the forefront the historical debate about the annexation of the archipelago by the United States and its parallels with the political situation in Puerto Rico.
But it was in the comments where the debate took a different turn. Dozens of users began to directly compare the message with the Cuban case. “They don't want it to end up like Hawaii… do they want it to end up like Cuba?” wrote an internet user. Others added: “Hawaii prospered, Cuba did not,” “Who is better off, Cuba or Hawaii?” or “I prefer what happened to Hawaii over what happened to Cuba and Venezuela.”
The discussion quickly became polarized. For some, the song is a call to reflect on the historical processes of annexation and colonialism. For others, the comparison sparked a debate about political models and economic outcomes, using Cuba as an example.
There were also those who questioned the coherence of delivering messages of sovereignty from a U.S. stage while living in the United States. However, beyond the differing opinions, the fact is that those seconds achieved something that few musical moments accomplish: turning a performance into a regional political conversation where, once again, Cuba became a necessary reference point.
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