Israel Rojas Defends Culture During Crisis, Sparks Debate After 2026 Piña Colada Festival

April 8, 2026

Israel Rojas, the leader and frontman of Cuban duo Buena Fe, performed at the XXIII edition of the 2026 Piña Colada Festival, held from April 2 to 5 in Ciego de Ávila and Morón, amid a severe energy crisis affecting the island.

Following sold-out performances at the Teatro Principal in Ciego de Ávila, where audiences sang along to every song in the setlist, Rojas defended the decision to hold the festival with a phrase that quickly sparked public debate: "culture also saves." The singer-songwriter argued that Buena Fe's music contributes to the mental health of Cubans and that art offers relief in the face of adversity, calling the event the "Piña Colada of resistance."

His remarks drew mixed reactions. While thousands of fans supported his stance, critics pointed to the contradiction of staging an entertainment festival in a province recording electricity blackouts of up to 21 hours a day during those same dates. Rojas himself acknowledged that rehearsing and recording in Cuba had become an "ordeal" due to the power cuts, and the festival had to adapt by forgoing large screens and mass lighting.

The concert featured classics such as Rabo de nube, Nacimos ángeles, Ser de Sol, and Trineo — the title of the duo's forthcoming album. The episode once again brought into focus the tension between institutional cultural promotion and the hard daily reality facing Cubans.