Israel Rojas, leader of the duo Buena Fe and staunch supporter of the Cuban regime, spoke out about the recent brawl among teenagers at Finca de los Monos that occurred last Saturday. "I passed by there and could tell things were not going well. I've been observing groups of young people for many years," the singer began, adding that this incident is just "the beginning."
"The movie will premiere this summer, or the next. All the conditions are set for situations like this to happen anywhere in Cuba," he continued in a post on Facebook. Rojas cited the severe economic crisis, the catering to young people's preferences, and digital content lacking "ethical or aesthetic counterbalances and heavily funded to promote a culture carrying anti-values" as contributing factors.
It's surprising to hear such criticism from an artist who has always been supported by the regime, which he implicitly blamed for "the crisis in the educational sector," warning that "all of this and more is out there like the sun that can't be hidden with a finger."
He mentioned that "what happened should help us better understand who we Cubans are today in this country after the pandemic," noting that "Cuba has changed dramatically in less than four years."
Rojas also mentioned that on the same day, he performed a concert at the National Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the TV program "Entre Manos." "For that type of cultural option, there is no streaming platform, no Community Manager agencies, no effort to maximize reach (paid) on digital platforms. There are no YouTubers to react, comment, amplify, and set trends. What happened at the National Museum of Fine Arts was moving," he expressed.
Sharing a video of the event, Rojas clarified to those who disagreed with his opinion that he has spent over 25 years "trying to ensure that young people, adolescents, children, and the elderly who enjoy my music can attend a concert to sing, dance, and have fun without the risk of getting hurt," he stated.
Images of the mass brawl among groups of young people at Finca de los Monos in Havana are shocking, clearly showing armed gangs with machetes and knife injuries. The Cuban regime, through its spokesperson Humberto López, reported that the number of injured rose to six.
Araiz Torres, associated with Klatus Creativo, the main sponsor of the event, said that "institutional communication failed at all levels" and clarified that "it was never informed that the activity was not authorized," contradicting the Havana government, which stated otherwise.
In a text filled with barbs and irony, the entrepreneur—who clarified she is neither a state official nor an employee—argued that she was not responsible for knowing or verifying the protocols and that the request had been made in writing.
Key Insights on the Finca de los Monos Incident
To provide further understanding, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about the recent incident at Finca de los Monos and the statements made by Israel Rojas.
What were the main causes of the incident according to Israel Rojas?
Israel Rojas cited the severe economic crisis, the catering to young people's preferences, and digital content lacking ethical or aesthetic counterbalances as the main causes.
How did the Cuban regime respond to the incident?
The Cuban regime, through spokesperson Humberto López, reported that the number of injured rose to six.
What was the reaction of the event sponsor, Klatus Creativo?
Araiz Torres, associated with Klatus Creativo, stated that institutional communication failed at all levels and clarified that it was never informed that the activity was not authorized, contradicting the Havana government.