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Juanes: Cuba concert is not about politics

Juanes: Cuba concert is not about politics

BY JORDAN LEVIN

jlevin at MiamiHerald.com

Colombian rocker Juanes says that despite the political firestorm surrounding the concert he has planned for Havana next month, he is only seeking to connect with the Cuban people and to promote change with his music.
``This is not about politics,'' he told The Miami Herald Tuesday of his decision to play a concert in Cuba in the historic Plaza de la Revolución in Havana on Sept. 20.

``Nobody called us, nobody invited us to Havana,'' he said. ``I am not a communist. I am not aligned with the government. I'm not going to Cuba to play for the Cuban regime.

``Our only message is one of peace, of humanitarianism, of tolerance, a message of interacting with the people,'' he said.

Juanes sells millions of albums, fills arenas across the Americas, has a shelf full of Grammys and is widely admired for his humanitarian work in his native Colombia.

CONTROVERSY

His stature has made his decision to play the Sept. 20 concert -- entitled Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders) -- a potential turning point in the sometimes hostile relationship between Cuba and the exile community, even as it has unleashed a storm of controversy in Miami and beyond.

For some, a star like Juanes playing in Cuba lends credibility to a dictatorial government and ignores the plight of political prisoners and dissidents.

``He is playing the game of those assassins,'' says Ana Margarita Martinez, well-known locally for unwittingly marrying a Cuban spy who infiltrated the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. ``He is going to a place where there are no human rights. . . . I'm insulted.''

Juan Carlos Espinosa, an associate dean of the Honors College at Florida International University, says Juanes has every right to perform in Cuba, but ``what I object to is that he says his performing in Cuba is not a political act. Choosing to perform in Cuba, where everything is politicized and a military regime has ruled for 50 years, is in and of itself a political decision.'' Sitting in his sun-filled home in Key Biscayne on Tuesday, Juanes said the concert is a way to go beyond politics, and to inspire both sides to reach out to each other in a different way.

``I cannot give answers to all these questions people are asking me'' about politics in Cuba, he said. ``It's not my strength. It's not something I can control. . . We are musicians, not politicians.

``It seems to me that Cuba is a country that's been isolated for many years, for historic reasons that we all know,'' he added. ``I respect that profoundly. I know that what has happened has been hard. But we're talking about now, the present, today.''

Juanes says what matters is that he will be playing for an expected audience of more than 600,000 Cubans who almost never have the chance to hear musicians outside the island.

Juanes will be joined by pop singers Miguel Bosé of Spain, Olga Tañon from Puerto Rico, and by the Cuban artists Silvio Rodríguez and Los Van Van. Unlike previous concerts featuring foreign pop stars -- a 1979 event with Billy Joel and one in 1999 with Bonnie Raitt and members of The Police -- there will be no restrictions on who can attend, he says. They will perform in front of the National Library, the same location where Pope John Paul II gave a Mass in 1998, instead of in front of politically controversial monuments to Che Guevara and Jose Martí.

``How great it'll be to be there and see this plaza that's so big filled with an immense quantity of people enjoying artists that they want to see,'' Juanes says. ``And we want to see them too. We want to see the Cuban people.''

SUPPORTERS

A number of Cuban-American groups have also come out in support of Juanes' efforts, and the singer says much of what he hears from his many Cuban friends in Miami is positive. Exiles who want to change the dialogue with the island applaud the star's efforts.

``I believe in Juanes' honesty,'' says Miami musician, writer and teacher Alfredo Triff. ``I don't think he should have to make any statements. All he has to do is play. I'm sure a bunch of people are dying to hear him. This concert can be a force for good.''

The concert comes as the Obama administration has eased restrictions on Cuban-American travel and remittances to the island, and amid speculation that it is considering further changes to U.S.-Cuba policy, including a return to the people-to-people cultural exchanges promoted by the Clinton administration. Later this year the New York Philharmonic will play in Cuba.

U.S. FAVOR

This month, a State Department official told El Nuevo Herald that the department was in favor of these kinds of cultural exchanges.

Juanes' first move in planning the event was to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the administration and Congress in May, to see if they would support his efforts and give permission to the U.S. musicians and technicians to come to the show.

``This is the right moment to start something,'' Juanes says. ``In the last administration, for sure we weren't talking about this. But with this administration, with Obama as president, I believe it's different.''

Juanes staged the first Paz Sin Fronteras concert in March 2008, on the Colombia-Venezuela border as tensions between the two countries seemed about to turn into armed conflict. That show, which included Bosé and other Latin stars, drew 100,000 people.

But Juanes says many of the artists who were originally going to join him in Cuba have dropped out. He and his manager have been seeking sponsors but so far have not found any, and say they will cover the approximately $300,000 cost themselves.

``I don't need to do this,'' Juanes says. ``I'm doing this because I really believe that music is powerful.

``Yes, maybe I'm a dreamer. But I'm not going to change. If after the concert nothing positive happens, that's a risk I'm taking.''

Miami Herald staff writer Lydia Martin contributed to this story.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1202431.html

By Simon on Aug 25, 2009, 22:17 in Friendly Talkzone.

miamimike says on Aug 25, 2009, 23:25:

Simon--Good Article, I just finished reading it before I saw you posted it here on PBH. Looks like he(juanes) is the only one with two Cojones as all the others like Ricky Martin have bailed on him and the Habana Concert. Reminds me of the Dixie Chicks lol! Did you see this article in Sunday's Miami Herald written by that Right Wing Versaille Dinosaur Ninoska Perez? She claims Juanes is "Naive" for going to Cuba. Be sure to vote in the opinion Poll in the below link if you support Juane's Trip to Cuba. What's she going to harp about when Castro kicks the Bucket & her listening audience that consists mainly of those Aging Vigilia Mambisas that populate Domino Park on Calle 8? Had Ninoska's parents(as well as many of her radio listeners&supporters) stayed behind and waged the Good Fight 40+ years ago against Castro & Communism, they would still have their Island & its freedom and Juanes wouldn't have to go Cuba in the manner under which he is going now.

Ninoska says "Juanes was kind enough to call me and ask for my thoughts on his peace initiative. I responded that the Cuban people needed freedom, not concerts. *****Juanes seemed surprisingly naive when it came to the Cuban authorities.*** I warned him he would become a useful propaganda tool for the regime. I spoke at length of Cuba's deplorable human-rights record, the plight of Castro's victims and the pain in every Cuban's heart, which he acknowledged.

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/1197357.html

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Aug 26, 2009, 05:15:

who thought it was about politics? i thought he was going there to sing.

patriarch

0 funny, 1 helpful.

miamimike says on Aug 26, 2009, 08:37:

How is it cheap publicity to boost his sales ? I doubt his sales are lagging in the first place. He's footing the bill of several hundred thousand dollars by himself the article says and if he wanted effective publicity, undoubtably there must be cheaper ways if its just about publcity.

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theflatline says on Aug 26, 2009, 08:47:

He should be using that money to help the poor in Colombia.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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dwmte7 says on Aug 26, 2009, 09:16:

heh, norm.........what about the poor in daytona beach?

patriarch

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Simon says on Aug 26, 2009, 10:03:

Juanes does a lot for Colombia, starting with his anti-landmine foundation.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

0 funny, 1 helpful.

johnny2009 says on Aug 26, 2009, 10:18:

Good article thanks Simon,

Juanes probably rings a bit hollow when he says it is not about politics because Paz sin Fronteras #1 was of course about politics, I don't think Cuba is necessarily about politics though, the USA has issues with Cuba, the rest of the world has trade with Cuba and its people are allowed to visit it freely. Juanes is Colombian, Colombians are not barred by their government from going to Cuba, Colombia has trade with Cuba.

This is probably about his ego, and I would accept that and wish him all the best. On the simplest level, a bunch of Cubans will be afforded a spectacle that the rest of us take for granted.

Moreover those Miami Cubans need to be told to STFU

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romy says on Aug 26, 2009, 10:38:

I support Juanes
one of the few with balls to stand against Uribe

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Simon says on Aug 26, 2009, 11:12:

Ummm, actually Juanes is an Uribista. He's a decent Colombian, you know.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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romy says on Aug 26, 2009, 11:13:

Sorry Simon, keep up

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jonny305 says on Aug 26, 2009, 11:19:

its not 4 publicity!!!
i was in my miami barber shop and realized how crazy some cubans are
they were mad at juanes but i wasnt going to tell them how foolish they are

U.S and Cuba both have a blame in the conditions cuba is in!!

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miamimike says on Aug 26, 2009, 11:48:

Jonny305 says "they were mad at juanes but i wasnt going to tell them how foolish they are
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jonny--I tell them in no uncertain terms. Fact of the matter is, I don't patronize a Barbershop owned by a Cuban just for this reason. Still see him at mass though, we both belong to the same church. I don't see where the USA has ANY blame for how things are in Cuba Today. If the older Cubans are so concerned, why didn't they stay and fight in Cuba 40 years ago for their way of Life instead of rolling over and giving Castro their Island? I see them as the Blame soley for the Cuba of today.

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ferran says on Aug 26, 2009, 17:28:

There is a lot of things that don't add up here. Lets just start with the first, "Paz sin fronteras" why Cuba? there is no war going on there, but a heck of a lot of political controversia, if not a political move what then? its like saying, I'm going fishing but I will not get my hands wet or smelling like fish. IN CUBA EVERYTHING IS ABOUT POLITICS.
Why the meeting with Clinton and being so cozy with Obama who is a traitor a deceiver and a pawn/puppet for the money masters?
No sponsors available? If Juanes could not get a large company or political lobbyists group to front the money a mere $300 thousand dollars, than truly he has lost all of his marketability. This money can have much more impact if he donate it in Colombia where is most needed.
By making these moves juanes is one or the other, totally naive,(which I dont think this paisa is) an ego maniac(you have to be) or a tool being used by the spin doctors in USA/Colombian political agenda.
If he really wanted to do this for the people in Cuba, all he should have done is quietly got on a plane with his guitar and used Cuban back up musicians (there is plenty in Cuba) the word spreads like wild fire in Habana, so most definite he would have a very big audience and this would have cost next to nothing.
This parcero is looking more like a culebrero, I wonder if he has pick up any of these tricks from the master himself, drug trafficker #82 after all they are both paisas.

AVE MARIA PUES.........QUE BERRAQUERA!!!

All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self evident.

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Simon says on Aug 26, 2009, 19:21:

Ferran, as usual, you're full of pure crap!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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jonny305 says on Aug 26, 2009, 23:13:

ok let ne say it another way Cuba and the south Florida politicians isolating the island are to blame
i dont understand one thing
why people mad hes gonna play in Cuba but ni problem The olympics were held in china?

Ferran unique point of view

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ferran says on Aug 27, 2009, 00:59:

JUANES PONDRA 300 MIL DOLARES PARA EL CONCIERTO

Efe y Reuters - Miami, E.U. | Publicado el 27 de agosto de 2009

SIN PATROCINIO POR el momento, el intérprete colombiano invertirá plata de su bolsillo para el concierto del 20 de septiembre en la Plaza de la Revolución, en Cuba.

El cantautor colombiano Juanes dijo que un concierto que ofrecerá en Cuba en septiembre podría ayudar a descongelar las relaciones entre Cuba y Estados Unidos, pese a críticas de exiliados de línea dura que lo acusan de entretener a las autoridades comunistas de la isla.
Juanes dijo que el concierto era una oportunidad para promover la paz y la reconciliación entre Cuba y Estados Unidos, enemigos ideológicos desde hace casi medio siglo.

So Juanes is playing mediator now between Cuba and the USA and he says is got nothing to do with politics.

I seems that Juanes not only takes Twiitter seriously but also has been snooping around here in PBH. on a previous post I question the fact that it would take around $300 thousand dollars to stage such an event and who was paying for it. Now he says he's paying out of his own pocket the $300 grand,

PARCERO PARECE QUE SE HA MENTIDO EN UN ENRREDO EL IJUEPUTA, HABER COMO SALE DE ESTA COLINO.
LE VA SALIR CARO EL PASEITO POR LA HABANA.

All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self evident.

0 funny, 0 helpful.