Recently, a post by the independent outlet Cubanet went viral on April Fools' Day, claiming that the Cuban musical duo Buena Fe had relocated to Miami under the humanitarian parole program. The musicians quickly responded to this claim.
On their official Facebook page, the duo refuted the report and criticized the outlet for what they perceived as a "prank," which also suggested they wanted to start anew. "Clearly, this outlet is so desperate that they felt the need to make this 'little prank' for April Fools' Day, not without first implying that we support what they truly need to continue existing. The bird is known by what it defecates," they wrote, with a tone rich in irony.
Buena Fe, consisting of Israel Rojas and Yoel Martínez, took the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to staying in Cuba, emphasizing that despite the island's challenges, emigration is not in their plans. "We have the utmost respect for our emigrants. But we remain in Cuba, enduring the misfortunes of incompetence, bureaucracy, negligence, scarcity, and the criminal economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government," they stated.
The Cubanet post sparked a wave of reactions on social media, ranging from those who saw it as a harmless joke to others who believed the information to be true. "The issue isn't them emigrating; they lost concerts in Miami for defending the island's communism, weren't accepted, and faced heavy criticism. So, how are they going to work in Miami? Who will listen to them? Where can they perform? They claim they want to expand their artistic horizons, but I don't understand how they plan to achieve this since they lost their exiled audience long ago. For instance, they lost concerts in Canada because nobody wanted them in Toronto or Montreal. Unless they live off something other than music," commented a user in the comment section.
Journalist Mario J. Pentón from Martí Noticias also debunked the information, using insights based on U.S. legal processes: "The Buena Fe story is an April Fools' prank by CubaNet Noticias. I doubt they could even pass with parole... They'd be like the judge defending asylum in prison," referring to the case of Melody González Pedraza, a judge from Villa Clara involved in the conviction for "attack" against four young Cubans and an asylum seeker in Tampa.
Buena Fe has publicly expressed their support for the Cuban regime on numerous occasions. During the July 11, 2021 protests, Israel Rojas voiced his backing for President Miguel Díaz-Canel's "combat order," urging citizens to take to the streets in defense of the Revolution.
Furthermore, they have participated in events organized by official institutions and received praise from high-ranking officials. For instance, after a tour in Spain in 2023, Johana Tablada, the deputy director-general of the U.S. Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, compared Buena Fe to the troubadour Silvio Rodríguez, stating they "illuminate" with their music.
Controversies and Criticisms
Buena Fe's close ties with the government have sparked criticism, particularly among the Cuban diaspora and opposition sectors. During their 2023 tour in Spain, they faced protests and concert cancellations due to their political stance. In Madrid, Cuban activists were attacked during one of their performances, leading to the cancellation of several events.
Likewise, in Barcelona, they were confronted by Cubans questioning their support for the regime amidst the country's crisis. These incidents highlight the polarization the duo causes, with some viewing them as defenders of Cuban culture and others seeing them as allies of a repressive government.
Institutional Backing
Despite the controversies, Buena Fe enjoys support from official Cuban institutions. Following the cancellations in Spain, entities such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution expressed their support for the duo, emphasizing their commitment to the Revolution.
Additionally, the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) held an event in their honor, denouncing the aggressions they faced abroad and reaffirming their solidarity with the musicians.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buena Fe's Situation
Why did Buena Fe refute the claim of their migration to Miami?
Buena Fe refuted the claim because they have no plans to emigrate from Cuba and wanted to clarify misinformation spread by Cubanet as an April Fools' prank.
How has Buena Fe's political stance affected their international presence?
Their political stance has led to protests and cancellations of concerts, particularly during their 2023 tour in Spain, highlighting the division their support for the Cuban government creates.
What support does Buena Fe receive from Cuban institutions?
Buena Fe has backing from various Cuban institutions, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, which have publicly supported the duo amidst controversies.