Colombian rocker Juanes -- discussing with fans and critics on microblogging website Twitter -- on Monday defended his plans to play in the Cuban capital Havana.
Juanes had been criticized by Cubans in exile in the U.S. and was accused of being complicit with the Castro regime in Cuba, but Juanes, "taking advantage of the fact that I can't sleep," argued that the Cuban people should not be forgotten about.
The singer openly responded to questions of others active on the website, acknowledged the pain of Cubans in the U.S. and other countries, but stressed his concert was for the young people of Cuba, to whom he wants to "lend a hand."
"Forget politics now! Think of the people," Juanes wrote. "There is a future for Cuba, but we have to give them a hand, help them, open our minds to them, so that they do the same to us," the singer added.
Juanes revealed that he himself had called the Cuban Ministry of Culture offering to do the show and was never asked by the Castro government to come. The rocker said he will be joined by Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz and Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañon for the September 20 concert.
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Comments (10)
ORLANDO J MARTINEZ
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... 132EL INAGOTABLE ORLANDO-Juanes Agosto 11th, 2009 en 17:42 Supongamos, como parece muy probable, que el gobierno cubano impida que personas como Yoani, Reynaldo, Claudia, Ciro, las damas de blanco, ETC, ETC, ETC no puedan ir a su concierto… ?En que papel queda Juanes? |
Lucy C.
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... I ask JUANES how he thinks he can mingle or mearly shake hands with those who represent the cause of pain and suffering of so many, how can he sing about peace when my people are not at peace in their own homes, at peace with expressing what they feel, at peace of going, eating, enjoying what TOURIST enjoy in my/their country!Aside and even more shameful of his part is the fact that in Cuba, the Castro government has trained members of the GUERRILLA that has killed, tortured, raped, kidnapped, and stolen the PEACE of his country for so many years. |
Lucy C.
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... P.S. To JUANES! PEACE can only be felt by those who have no boundaries and are free ( CUBAN people are not free and boundaries are very well defined by the Castro regime) PEACE can only be promoted by acting and representing the RIGHT side of the issue ( cuban people), not standing by those that take it away (Castro's). If you think you will touch the cuban peoples lives and that they need to know they are not forgotten, GO TO CUBA AND TELL FIDEL TO HOST FREE ELECTIONS, TO FREE THE POLITICAL PRISONERS!!! and btw... Like myself, there are plenty of us, (your fans) who have not forgotten the cuban people, BUT I WILL SURE FORGET ABOUT YOU. good luck! |
Andrewmann552
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... What's with all the fascists ranting on here? Where are you people asking he not play in countries with worst human rights records than Cuba like Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, and yes, COLOMBIA? Juanes is trying to take his music to Cuba, what's the problem with that? Stop being hypocrites. Raul Castro is not going to attend the show, this isn't about politics. Cuba will not be changed from the outside, the Cuban people will have to decide what changes they want, even Alvaro Uribe has stated as much. By trying to censor and repress Juanes, you're doing exactly what you accuse Castro of doing. |
Alex
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... Juanes is a colombian free man and he does need to ask permission from the cuban exile. In 1998 the pope John Paul II visited cuba and meet the castros, and nobody believed that he was a supporter the tiranny (maybe the miami bigots indeed). |
brainfood
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... Juanes, the only dignified way to carry on with the concert, is to change its name to “FREEDOM WITHOUT BORDERS”, and urge the Cuban dictatorship to allow freedom of expression and to free the hundreds of prisoners of conscience jailed without trial. Otherwise it's just a publicity stunt. http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/cuba |
Freddie B
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... Imagine for a second that you are a "regular" citizen in Cuba, that is, one who does not belong to the government. Juanes is coming to Cuba but only Fidel and his minions, that is from Generals and Ministers to Local Communist Neighborhood watchmen and members of the Rapid Response Brigades (Brigadas de Respuesta Rápida) will be able to attend. What good is it to go over there? You think the Cuban people have open internet access to buy this music? You think they will be able to listen. NO WAY. This concert is for the Cuban Communist elite. oh, by the way, tell me again how is it that a Government that has been in power for 50 years is not the OPRESSOR OF ITS PEOPLE? To anyone out there who lives in a country that its free to choose its leader, how dare you question the truth about Cuba today? |
CATRACHUX
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... Mr Juanes, music is all about timing and with the socialist movement in latinamerica right know it's just NOT the time to go play in Cuba. Unless socialism a la Castro/Chavez is something you agree with, but struggle to accept! |
Maria Varela
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... I think people are ignorant and stupid and should leave music and art out of politics. All those so called Cubans who are medling in and threatening musicians and artists are obviously oblivious to things going on in Cuba or otherwise have their own personal interest in seeing that others do not go to Cuba. If Juanes or any other Artist wants to sing to the Cuban people, so be it. You harm no one but the cuban population with your politics. In the 50 years of Fidel Castro's rule, you have been unable to change things all you do is benefit from the situation to gain personal rewards. The Cubans still go visit their families and will continue to do so. Let the man sing his songs for the Cuban people and let him bring them a little joy. |
lolamaria
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... I think he is doing the right thing .....he will bring happiness and hope for the Island of Cuba, be greatfull, he doesn't need publicity, he really beleives in what he is doing, let him try, why not? is just a concert....what about the thousand of Cubans that go every year? what's the difference?? Some Cubans live out of the gossip, that;s all ...they have nothing better to do! Go Juanes !!!! i support you, may God help you, and may your wishes come true. |
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