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The Cuban-American congressman Mario Díaz-Balart criticized the presence of the so-called Convoy Nuestra América in Cuba and questioned the contrast between the conditions in which its members operate and the reality faced by the population on the island.
In a message posted on the social network X, Díaz-Balart stated, “Hundreds of insensitive leftist radicals gathered in Havana this weekend to meet with officials from the Communist Party, staying in luxury hotels and traveling on air-conditioned buses, while the rest of the island is facing an increasingly severe economic crisis that has left it without electricity, food, water, and medicine.”
His statements come amid the visit to Havana of hundreds of leftist activists and political figures from various countries, who are participating in activities organized alongside Cuban state institutions and have expressed support for the government.
From the government’s perspective, the reception of the convoy has been presented as a display of international support. The official account of the Presidency of Cuba stated on X: “Convoy Nuestra América: a symbol of millions of human beings who refuse to turn their backs on #Cuba. President @DiazCanelB attended the official reception event for the more than 600 members of this beautiful initiative of solidarity.”
The convoy, driven by the Progressive International, has gathered nearly 500 participants from about 30 countries, including Jeremy Corbyn, Pablo Iglesias, Rashida Tlaib, and Greta Thunberg. The initiative included the shipment to Cuba of between 20 and 50 tons of food, medicine, and solar panels, valued at around $500,000.
During their stay, the participants have held meetings with Cuban authorities, including Miguel Díaz-Canel, and have taken part in official events in Havana.
Images shared on social media showed members of the convoy traveling through the capital in small electric vehicles, in organized routes while the country is experiencing a crisis marked by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and a deteriorated transportation system.
The presence of the group has also generated criticism both inside and outside of Cuba. The comedian Ulises Toirac mocked the visit by suggesting that participants should live for a month with “4000 CUP per person (without working for it), the ration card, a mobile phone with Etecsa service, and see how they fare after a month”.
In the same vein, journalist Yoani Sánchez questioned the nature of these visits and wrote: “We are not a theme park. Go do ideological tourism somewhere else. Here we are suffering”.
Critics have also focused on what some consider a disconnection between the discourse of support for the Cuban system by foreign visitors and the living conditions on the island, characterized by a profound economic and social crisis.
Díaz-Balart's statements thus contribute to an increasing debate about the impact and political meaning of these international visits in the current Cuban context.
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