Image: Prensa Latina

Madrid, May 18 (RHC)-- Hundreds of people expressed Thursday solidarity and support for the Cuban musical group Buena Fe, whose tour in Spain was cut short due to harassment, violence and censorship by the enemies of the Revolution.

Under the leadership of activist and coordinator of Cubainformación, José Manzaneda, several figures in Spain and Europe were summoned to join a campaign to collect signatures underlining the support to the popular group led by Israel Rojas and Yoel Martínez, through a manifesto.

The document, to which Prensa Latina had access, described the events surrounding Buena Fe, when on May 13 in Bilbao during a day of solidarity with Cuba Rojas addressed the situation of the Caribbean island, the blockade imposed by the United States and the cultural war against the country.

It was a prelude to a European tour of the group and also the presentation of the duo at the Bilbao event, which allowed the full enjoyment of the music and culture of the largest of the Antilles.

"But it seems that this is not allowed if artists defend the sovereignty and revolution of their country," the text noted, to then highlight that Rojas and Martinez reported on their social network profiles the cancellation of two of their scheduled concerts (Salamanca and Zamora) due to fascist harassment and threats against the venues where they were to take place.

"Under the pretext of democracy, we are witnessing in the Spanish State the censorship and persecution of artists just for the crime of coming from Cuba and defending Cuba," the manifesto pointed out.

It also mentioned that at the Madrid concert, last Friday, May 12, there was an attempted assault and boycott against Buena Fe, led by Cuban émigrés today linked to ultra-right-wing organizations such as Vox.

Fortunately, and once again, the public that had come to participate in an evening of fraternity, culture, music and solidarity turned in love towards Buena Fe, with displays of affection and applause that turned a deaf ear to those who had come to sow hatred, the note added.

It is sad, but increasingly common in Spanish territory, that those who call themselves defenders of freedom and human rights resort to violence and fascism to intimidate those who simply wish to express themselves through art and music, the note added.

The blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba is a serious violation of human rights and directly affects the daily lives of the Cuban people. It is regrettable that, instead of encouraging dialogue and cultural exchange, certain counterrevolutionary groups use fascist tactics to try to silence artists and restrict freedom of expression.

He also noted that the cancellation of concerts in Salamanca and Zamora is a reminder that the struggle for freedom and human rights in Cuba faces constant obstacles and threats.

As stated by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez, "apparently the harassers of Buena Fe don't bother to listen to their songs. Could it be that they don't want to hear the indocile questions that the duo throws into the air, track after track, HERE, on Cuban soil," he added.

Among the signatories so far of the document are the Spanish-French intellectual Ignacio Ramonet, president of the Board of Directors of Le Monde Diplomatique; the secretary general of the Communist Party of Spain, Enrique Santiago, the deputy of Unidas Podemos Rpser Maestro and José Manzaneda himself, in a list that already has 460 names registered.