A group of well-off leftists from Europe and the U.S. traveled to Cuba over the weekend for a concert, staying at a luxury hotel while many Cubans grappled with food shortages and blackouts.
Among those present were members of the Irish rap group Kneecap, who arrived in Havana for a benefit concert but got a taste of the high life in a five-star hotel. This comes as millions in Cuba endure severe poverty, a result of a failing and oppressive communist regime, as reported.
Notable figures included radical leftists and some controversial personalities, like Hasan Piker and Isra Hirsi—daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar. The rappers, known for their support of Hamas-led Palestine, expressed their sentiments from the stage, yelling: “Free Cuba, fuck Trump, fuck Netanyahu!”
The event, named the Nuestra America Convoy, was led by Code Pink founder Jody Evans, who wore a pink Palestinian keffiyeh.
Criticism swirled around Piker after he shared images of his stay at a high-end hotel. He responded by blaming U.S. policies for the situation, claiming, “The American government has made it illegal for Americans to stay anywhere they like in the turnips.” He shares a close bond with the communist Mayor of New York, Zoran Mamdani.
In reality, federal regulations bar Americans from staying in government-run facilities in Cuba, but there are no constraints requiring them to opt for luxury hotels.
Despite Piker’s defense, many on social media voiced their disapproval.
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State and son of Cuban immigrants, has been vocal about Cuba’s ineffective leadership, recently stating the need for “new people in charge.”
Rubio underscored that Cuba’s economy is broken and that the existing political system is incapable of fixing it. He noted, “What we announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. That’s not the solution, so Cuba has to make big decisions,” emphasizing the urgent need for change.
