The Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez received a combat AKM rifle during an official event of the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (Minfar), as part of the so-called "National Defense Day," according to a report from the institution on its social media.
According to the post, the gesture is part of the concept of “Total People's War,” promoted by the Cuban regime. It was presented as a recognition of the artist's “patriotic willingness” to take up arms in the face of a potential aggression from the United States against Cuba.
The weapon was handed over by the Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the FAR and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party. Present at the event was Miguel Díaz-Canel, in his capacity as President of the National Defense Council.
Regarding this topic, the official outlet Cubadebate stated: "The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces awards the singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez a replica of the AKM rifle and his combat rifle in compliance with his noble and revolutionary demand."
However, in the video shared by the Presidency of Cuba, the moment is captured when López Miera hands Silvio a document that is presumably the rifle certificate, and you can hear the minister of the FAR saying: "This is just symbolic". The singer-songwriter smiles and puts his little paper in his pocket, looking at the cameras.
Preliminary controversy on social media: Silvio's claim
The claim from Silvio Rodríguez came this week in a comment on his blog Segunda Cita where he expressed: “I demand my AKM, if they go ahead. And let it be clear that I mean this very seriously,” referring to a hypothetical scenario of U.S. military intervention in Cuba.
The message was amplified by the official spokesperson Michel E. Torres Corona, who added on Facebook: “And me. We will only give fire. Long live a free Cuba! Homeland or death,” reinforcing the belligerent tone of the exchange.
Escalation of political tensions
These statements come in a context of escalating tension between Havana and Washington. The ruling Miguel Díaz-Canel has recently warned that "any external aggressor will encounter an impenetrable resistance."
For his part, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, described Cuba as a "failed nation" and stated that he could intervene in the island. Along the same lines, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has emphasized the need for profound changes in the upper echelons of Cuban power.
Both U.S. leaders have hinted that discussions are ongoing regarding the country's political future and that measures could be announced in the near term.
Criticism and internal reality
The statements from public figures aligned with the government have been criticized on social media, where users question the promotion of armed confrontation from privileged positions.
These positions contrast with the daily situation of the Cuban population, which is marked by a profound economic crisis, food shortages, blackouts, and a deterioration of basic services.
Silvio Rodríguez, 79 years old, and Michel Torres, with no known military background, have been pointed out by some internet users as examples of rhetoric that does not reflect the actual conditions in the country or the consequences of a potential armed conflict for the citizens.
Filed under: