This Monday, renowned American actor, director, and producer Kevin Costner was received by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel at the Palace of the Revolution.
According to a tweet from the Cuban presidency, Costner is on the island to explore "underwater archaeology," attempting to clarify that the visit should not be linked to any political implications.
This is the Oscar winner's second trip to Cuba. His first trip to the island took place in 2001, during which he presented his film "Thirteen Days," inspired by the events of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
On that occasion, he spent several hours with Fidel Castro, which sparked a debate about Cuba's political climate and its ties to the United States.
On this recent visit, Costner explored the Museo Castillo de La Real Fuerza in Havana, demonstrating a great fascination with the underwater archaeological artifacts featured in the museum's exhibits.
Costner visited the historic site accompanied by Cuban underwater archaeologist Alejandro Mirabal, receiving a warm welcome from Perla Rosales Aguirreurret, deputy director of the Office of the Historian of Havana.
No further details have emerged regarding the meeting with Díaz-Canel, except for what was announced by the Cuban Presidency, which included a photo capturing the actor and the president in a friendly exchange.
The appearance of a global celebrity like Kevin Costner allows the Cuban government to convey a sense of stability and cultural appeal, amid a severe economic crisis characterized by a lack of essential supplies like food and medicine, along with a significant exodus of Cubans.
The meeting with Díaz-Canel, while seemingly devoid of political intentions, reinforces the approach of presenting Cuba as a place that welcomes foreign leaders and encourages collaboration with government agencies. However, this narrative ignores the underlying political oppression and humanitarian challenges facing the Cuban people.
Costner has adopted a position of neutrality, avoiding comments that could be seen as criticism of the government.
This doesn't prevent the government's propaganda machine from using his image to reinforce the perception that Cuba remains an attractive destination for international figures.
The presence of a Hollywood star represents an opportunity for the regime to demonstrate that it still attracts notable figures from the United States, despite the tense relations between the two administrations.
