As millions in Cuba endure daily power outages, food shortages, transportation collapse, and an ever-deepening economic crisis, President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his wife, Lis Cuesta, stirred controversy once more by arriving in Honduras on a private jet this Tuesday. Their visit was for the IX Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
The official Cuban Presidency account on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed the news, stating that the presidential couple was welcomed in Tegucigalpa by Manuel Zelaya Rosales, the general coordinator of the Libre Party and husband of Honduran President Xiomara Castro. The report also noted that the Cuban delegation included Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Ambassador Juan Roberto Loforte.
Speculation surrounds the aircraft that brought Díaz-Canel to Tegucigalpa, believed to be the YV659T, which typically operates within Cuba without transparent details about its passengers or source of funding. The use of such a private aircraft has reignited criticism of Díaz-Canel and his wife, not only due to the island's fragile state but also considering the leader's history of lavish travel expenses.
In 2019, the couple faced backlash for flying to Mexico in a luxurious private jet featuring leather interiors and executive amenities, a trip that drew scrutiny amidst Cuba's economic turmoil. A similar scenario unfolded in 2022 when they traveled to Granada during a Caribbean tour. During this trip, Lis Cuesta was seen shopping in commercial streets, images that sparked significant controversy as they were perceived as insensitive to the hardships faced by millions of Cubans.
This pattern extends beyond international tours. In November 2023, Díaz-Canel opted for a private jet to travel from Havana to Santa Clara, a journey typically completed by car in just a few hours, for a political visit. Most recently, in April 2024, he repeated this mode of travel while over 250 Cubans were stranded and desperate in Haiti, amid violence and a lack of migration responses from the Cuban regime.
These incidents reinforce an image of privilege and detachment from Cuba's everyday reality, where the leader and his close circle appear to operate under separate rules, shielded by power, and disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. While the Cuban delegation mingles with regional leaders in luxurious hotels and diplomatic venues, the island continues to grapple with blackouts, rampant inflation, medicine shortages, and mass migration.
Meanwhile, Lis Cuesta's presence on official tours, despite holding no public office, exacerbates public discontent, especially after she recently denied being Cuba's first lady, claiming in an interview that it is "not only a bourgeois structure, mind you, but a patriarchal one, and I am very feminist, so I am completely against it."
Her statements starkly contrast with her prominent role in numerous diplomatic events, her presence in official media, and her consistent inclusion in presidential delegations.
Controversy Surrounding Díaz-Canel's Private Jet Travel
Why is Díaz-Canel's use of a private jet controversial?
Díaz-Canel's use of a private jet is controversial due to Cuba's ongoing economic crisis and the perception that such travel expenses are extravagant and insensitive to the struggles faced by ordinary Cubans.
How does Lis Cuesta's role affect public perception?
Lis Cuesta's role affects public perception negatively as her participation in official tours without holding a public office contradicts her rejection of the first lady title, leading to a perception of privilege and detachment.
What are the implications of Díaz-Canel's travel choices?
The travel choices of Díaz-Canel imply a disconnect from the hardships faced by Cubans, as his actions suggest a prioritization of personal comfort over addressing the urgent needs of the nation.
What was the reaction to the couple's previous luxury travels?
The couple's previous luxury travels, such as their trip to Mexico in a high-end jet, have been met with criticism and backlash, highlighting the disparity between their lifestyle and the economic struggles of the Cuban populace.