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Silvio Rodríguez granted an extensive interview to the Spanish newspaper El País at the Ojalá studios in Havana, where he acknowledged serious flaws in the Cuban economic model and described the current situation as very serious, but he maintained his loyalty to the revolution and explicitly rejected the idea of the opposition coming to power.
The interview takes place days after the 79-year-old singer-songwriter was at the center of the controversial AKM rifle incident: on March 18, he published a note on his blog Segunda Cita in which he requested a firearm amid concerns about a potential U.S. invasion.
Two days later, MINFAR formally presented a replica during an official ceremony with Miguel Díaz-Canel and General Álvaro López Miera.
Regarding the weapon received, Rodríguez clarified that "it is a fake weapon; a very well-made imitation," although he specified that he was given a document to claim a real weapon in the event of armed aggression.
He explained that his request arose after statements made by Marco Rubio, describing the Cuban economic reforms as insufficient, and those of Trump announcing that he was going to "take the country": "I see it as possible. I hope it is not imminent or even impossible, but it is possible," he said regarding a potential invasion.
In economic matters, the troubadour was emphatic in pointing out the contradictions of the system he defends.
"The economic model dictated by the socialist system of rationing is very idealistic. Practice has shown that people produce better and more when they can directly benefit from what they do," he stated.
He described the government's vision as "orthodox and closed" and believed that the measures for opening up came "a little late," pointing out that Cuba should have reconsidered its model about 30 years ago.
Silvio described the situation faced by the population without mincing words: "There is tremendous inflation. Old folks like me, with a lifetime of savings, sometimes can't even buy a carton of eggs." He also mentioned the hospital crisis and the closure of schools, and regarding the protests and pot-banging, he said they are "normal," given the suffering of the people.
However, the artist - deputy of the National Assembly - did not translate that criticism into a questioning of the political system. Regarding the Cuban opponents, he was direct: "I do not wish them ill, but I do not wish for them to win. Not for my sake, but for what it would mean for this country."
And regarding the Cuban Americans who support military intervention, he was blunt: "I won't tell you what I think of those who want their own country to be bombed and invaded."
About the massive protests of July 11, 2021, he stated that "the law enforcement should ensure the safety of those who were demonstrating," a stance that contrasts sharply with the repression that followed those protests, resulting in dozens of political prisoners sentenced to up to 25 years.
In the interview, he also praised Bad Bunny for performing "What Happened to Hawaii" at Super Bowl LX, held on February 8: "I think he's a brave guy for using his platform to plant that idea."
The AKM episode had already sparked intense criticism before this interview. The opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer called Rodríguez "coward" and "hypocrite," mocking the gesture as regime propaganda, and several Cuban artists accused him of lending his image to a communication operation of the regime amid blackouts lasting up to 20 hours and widespread food shortages.
"The world is run by an authoritarian, warlike, and thieving regime. And it is not Cuba," was the phrase with which Rodríguez summarized his geopolitical view, making it clear that, despite his criticisms of the Cuban economic model, his loyalty to the revolutionary system remains intact.
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