Dec 17 (Belly of the Beast – Cuba in Context) – The U.S.-Cuba thaw had a positive impact on Cubans, but also on people from the U.S. Take it from Pablo Menendez, a U.S.-born musician who has spent most of his life in Cuba. He says before Obama it was “practically impossible” to tour in the United States with his Cuban band. But after the opening, Menendez and his band toured multiple times stateside.
All that changed when Trump ended engagement with Cuba. Menendez says his fellow musicians are no longer able to get a visa at the U.S. embassy in Havana. Nothing has improved since Biden was elected, according to Menendez.
“Right now, it’s harder than ever for a Cuban artist to get a visa,” he says. “The United States misses out on all of this wonderful culture coming from this little island which is basically posing no threat whatsoever.”
Pablo Menendez was born in the U.S., but has lived in Cuba most of his life. For decades, he has tried to find ways for music to be a bridge between the two countries. Obama’s detente with Cuba brought Pablo closer to his goal, but the economic warfare unleashed by Trump and Biden has further separated Cuba and the U.S.
Watch the full interview HERE.
