Cuban Government Delivers a Rifle to Silvio Rodríguez Following His Promise to Defend the Island

April 5, 2026

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba delivered to singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez an AKM rifle and a replica, after the artist published on his blog that he was willing to defend the island if an attack occurred.

In images distributed by the office of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Rodríguez appears alongside Cuban authorities during a ceremony in which he inspects the weapon. The gesture took place during the national defense day and was presented by Cuban officials as a response to a symbolic request from the troubadour.

Rodríguez, one of the most recognized voices in Cuban and Latin American music, had reacted weeks earlier to tensions between the United States and Cuba with a message in which he requested an AKM in case of aggression. The news takes place at a moment of high political tension between both countries.