Miguel Díaz-Canel, the leader of Cuba, made a notable appearance at Havana's airport to welcome the delegation returning from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Holding the hand of the mother of five-time Greco-Roman wrestling champion, Mijaín López, Díaz-Canel's gesture was widely publicized by the Presidency's communication department, which shared images on X of the leader hugging Mijaín and posing with the rest of the delegation and government members.
The Presidency's communication team captured the moment with a flowery caption, reflecting the usual absurdity of the "continuity" leader. "From the moment she arrived at the airport, President Díaz-Canel tenderly guided Leonor, Mijaín’s mother, as if he were leading all of Cuba to welcome our Olympic delegation," the statement read.
The tweet included a photo showcasing Díaz-Canel's Rolex GMT Master II, valued at $13,000, prominently displayed on his wrist. "As if he were leading all of Cuba to welcome our Olympic delegation," the regime's propagandists wrote, overlooking the stark contrast between the leader's luxury and the growing poverty among Cubans.
The so-called "continuity" no longer hides its lavish lifestyle and seems indifferent to the increasing inequality and social exclusion in Cuba. The philosophy that "to get rich is glorious," popularized by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, appears to resonate with Díaz-Canel, as the Cuban regime builds a state-run capitalism favoring its cronies, with its leaders flaunting their wealth like revolutionary reggaeton stars.
"Nothing like flaunting a new $13,000 Rolex GMT Master II to welcome the champion. This is how the president and his first lady show off their luxury watches to a destitute populace without even basic painkillers," observed user Taoro in a tweet.
Fidel Castro was known for rewarding his closest allies with Rolex watches. In June 2020, a retiree from the Office of Historical Affairs of the Council of State revealed to CiberCuba that in the past, Celia Sánchez managed their distribution. "Fidel would gift Rolex watches to the most outstanding comrades and cheap trinkets to many others on each anniversary of the revolution," recalled the former official.
Díaz-Canel, designated by his predecessor, General (ret.) Raúl Castro, has been seen on multiple occasions sporting luxurious items while projecting humility and demanding sacrifices from the Cuban people. In December 2020, Díaz-Canel attended a regime-organized rally in Trillo Park in several Mercedes Benz vehicles, wearing a high-end Rolex watch.
The Rolex Yacht Master 42 Díaz-Canel wore that day, valued at $28,900, was on the same hand he used to greet the dozens of people summoned—and coerced—to attend the event. In January 2019, Díaz-Canel was spotted in Sancti Spíritus wearing a luxury TAG Heuer watch worth $1,750, featuring a blue rubber strap, matte blue ceramic bezel, compatible with iOS and Android, and equipped with WiFi.
"What a beautiful watch Díaz-Canel, but I'm sure it's a fake Chinese Tag Heuer! After all, the 'socialist revolutionary leader' of Cuba would never buy a $1,700 capitalist watch," mocked Republican Marco Rubio on social media, commenting on Díaz-Canel's appearance at the Trillo Park rally.
But it's not just Díaz-Canel flaunting luxury. His wife, Lis Cuesta Peraza, also knows her way around high-end accessories, as demonstrated when she wore a Cartier watch valued between $5,000 and over $12,000 for her doctoral thesis defense.
Adding to the list of luxury watch owners is Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR). He wears his Rolex while accusing the United States of "starving Cubans" and celebrating Mijaín's victories, often seen with a rifle in hand in La Güinera.
Díaz-Canel’s Rolex and Cuban Inequality: Key Questions Answered
To delve deeper into the context and implications of Díaz-Canel's ostentatious display of luxury, we answer some pressing questions related to this issue.
What was Díaz-Canel doing at Havana's airport?
Díaz-Canel was at Havana's airport to welcome the Cuban delegation returning from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, holding the hand of Mijaín López's mother.
What luxury item did Díaz-Canel display during the airport visit?
He displayed a Rolex GMT Master II, valued at $13,000, on his wrist.
How has Díaz-Canel been seen flaunting luxury in the past?
In previous instances, Díaz-Canel has been seen wearing other luxury items, such as a Rolex Yacht Master 42 and a TAG Heuer watch, while attending public events.
Who else in the Cuban government is known for displaying luxury watches?
Lis Cuesta Peraza, Díaz-Canel's wife, and Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, are also known for wearing expensive watches.