Beyonce and Jay-Z are being criticized for spending their fifth anniversary in Cuba.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, the Executive Director of Cuba Democracy Advocates in Washington, D.C., a group dedicated to promoting democracy in the Caribbean country, blasted the hip-hop power couple for vacationing in the communist nation.
“There are women getting beaten on a daily basis, women who are being jailed for no reason … people are fighting for their freedom,” he told TMZ, claiming Beyonce and Jay-Z’s failed to educate themselves on Cuba’s human rights violations before making the trip. “It’s extremely insensitive,” he added.
News of the visit spread when Beyonce and Jay-Z were photographed in Havana earlier this week, dining at local restaurants and touring historical locations. But it remains unclear why they chose to visit the region to celebrate their April 4 wedding anniversary.
The Associated Press notes America’s 51-year embargo makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba solely for tourism. Travelers can visit the country legally by obtaining a “cultural exchange” license, however.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which approves travel to the country, would not comment on Beyonce and Jay-Z’s individual case.
This is not the first time the “Love On Top” singer has offended in recent weeks.
When Beyonce, who has recently referred to herself as a “modern day feminist,” released her newest single, “Bow Down/I Been On,” on March 17, she was criticized for the song’s seemingly misogynistic lyrics.
Power couple: Beyonce and Jay-Z stepped out in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday as they dined out for lunch to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary
Backup: Police were called to keep the crowds at bay after Beyonce and Jay-Z were mobbed on the streets of Havana
Mobbed: La Guarida restaurant provided this handout photo of Beyonce’s visit that quickly became mobbed
All eyes: Jay-Z appeared to stare protectively of his wife who carefully stepped behind him in heels as they walked into the flash of waiting cameras
Beaming beauty: Beyonce otherwise beamed and smiled for the cameras and her fans while described by a waitress to have not been wearing a drop of makeup
Fan frenzy: Crowds assembled outside the Saratoga hotel in a bid to catch a glimpse of the singer in Old Havana
Ain’t marriage grand: Beyonce leaves the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, where she is celebrating her fifth wedding anniversary with Jay-Z, on Friday
Hitting the streets: The singer and her husband have been lapping up the Cuban culture in recent days as they celebrate five years of marriage
Read more: Huffington Post
Leave a reply