The humanitarian mission of the so-called 'Convoy Nuestra América' is arriving in Cuba, loaded with aid, slogans against the “criminal blockade” imposed by the United States, and tons of revolutionary spirit amid celebrations and sightseeing to express outrage at the misery caused by "the blockade."
Among the willing volunteer expeditionaries who signed up for the solidarity festival with the dictatorship are 25 activists who departed from Mexico on a ship named Granma 2.0, in a symbolic tribute to the historic yacht from 1956.
However, judging by the images of dancing and revelry on board, shared in a video by the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, the brave argonauts of our time seem to have traded epic tales for choreography, guitar music, and playlists at sea.
The volunteers not only transport 30 tons of supplies, solar panels, and medicine to an island in the midst of a deep energy and economic crisis, but they have also turned the deck of the vessel into their personal Caribbean party stage.
Criticism has not been lacking on social media: "They’re off on revolutionary tourism in a little boat," wrote one user, adding that they are "daddy's little boys throwing a party they’ve called Granma 2.0."
Another, with sharp irony, exclaimed: "Can you be and look more foolish? This is a circus." And there were those who succinctly and accurately summarized the spectacle: "These pathetic individuals named this boat Granma 2.0, with a few things to continue perpetuating the misery of Cubans. Total disgust."
From the boat's deck to online comments, it became clear that for many Cubans this flotilla has been, more than just concrete assistance, a staged event with an Instagram filter while in the real island families suffer from blackouts, food shortages, and lack of medicine.
Filed under: