Cuba is open for business for celebrities. Their own people? Not so much

Now that the United States has restored its diplomatic relations with Cuba, celebrities are finding it hard to resist a visit to the communist country. Cuba even had it’s first international fashion show in five decades in which Chanel sewed together some really gaudy fabrics in some nightmarish vision of Cuba’s “cultural richness.”

Speaking of nightmares, the Kardashians showed up and they brought their ego with them, Kanye West. They probably met up with Vin Diesel, who is currently there filming Fast & Furios 25, and smoked tons of cigars… because that’s so cool:

You know what else is cool? Posing with Cuba’s dictators like Khloe did:

Where have I seen that before? Oh, yeah! From this guy:

So, if American celebrities are treated this well in Cuba since relations have improved, its citizens must be reaping some benefits, too. Sadly, no, it’s the same old rigmarole for them. Openness for celebs, oppression for Cubans. The BBC reported that VIP guests were ushered into the Chanel fashion show in style, while “Havana residents could only watch from behind the security cordon lines.” One aspiring model said it would’ve been nice to get close and see some actual fashion. But alas, there were no American celebrity saviors in the bunch. It was probably hard to see anything with all the sparkly diamonds around.

Which leads to perhaps the best commentary on the whole affair. This paragraph of gold comes from the Repuplican Congresswoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Take it away, IRL:

“I know it’s cool for celebrities to go to Cuba, but the Cuban people don’t experience the glamorous Havana that is featured on social media. Far from photo shoots and fruity drinks, everyday Cubans experience a different, sad reality.

“Now, the Kardashians are parachuting into the island to tape their vapid TV show. Haven’t the Cuban people suffered enough?”

Boom and burn!