Juan de Marcos, the founder of the legendary Afro-Cubans All Stars, says that Cuba America relations were heading in the right direction under President Obama but that it has all come crashing down under Trump.
In early 2016 Barack Obama initiated the reversal of a 50-year ban on trade, travel and finance between America and Cuba. Trump reversed it.
“Obama tried to lift the restrictions, even for the America people,” Juan de Marcos tells Noise11.com. “The US thinks they are the champions of human rights but Americans were not allowed to visit Cuba. Obama tried to do it but right now we have a different administration and this administration with Mr. Trump is thinking in a different way”.
Under President Obama communication between the USA and Cuba opened right up. Even the Rolling Stones celebrated the newfound open door policy by performing in Havana. “Obama opened an American Embassy in Cuba and allowed Cuba to open an embassy in Washington DC where I live nearby,” de Marcos said. “Then Mr. Trump closed the American Embassy in Havana. There are only a few people working for basis things, intelligence and this kind of stuff. There are no visas for the Cubans in Cuba so they have to travel to a third country to get an appointment. Right now everything is worse than before but we hope in the future it will be okay”.
Juan de Marcos cannot see any improvement until the Democrats are returned to power. “In a couple of years I don’t think that Mr. Trump is going to be re-elected,” he said. “I think that in the future everything will be better. Music is an international language and a language everyone can understand. Not only the music but the arts, that is the way to open the doors and help understand the different cultures”.
Juan de Marcos started Afro-Cuban All Stars in 1997. The debut album ‘A Toda Cuba le Gusta’ was recorded at the Buena Vista Social Club sessions. Just months early, de Marcos and Ry Cooder recorded the now iconic Buena Vista Social Club album that led to the award winning movie.
Juan De Marco’s AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS
Australian Tour Dates – March 2019
Thursday 21st March, 2019 – ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH WA – Bookings: 1300 111 369 or www.ticketek.com.au
Friday 22nd March, 2019 – THE GOV, ADELAIDE SA – Bookings: (08) 8340 0744 www.oztix.com.au
Sunday 24th March, 2019 – THE PALMS AT CROWN, MELBOURNE VIC – Bookings: 136 100 www.ticketmaster.com.au
Wednesday 27th March, 2019 – SOUTHERN CROSS CLUB, CANBERRA ACT – Bookings: (02) 6283 7200
Friday 29th March, 2019 – ROOTY HILL RSL CLUB NSW – Bookings: (02) 9625 5500
Saturday 30th March, 2019 – CITY RECITAL HALL, SYDNEY NSW – Bookings: (02) 8256 2222
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