Cuba sends Russia military assistance in Syria; White House gets a band

As Twitchy reported earlier today, it wasn’t long between the raising of an American flag over a reactivated embassy in Cuba and news that Cuba was reportedly sending troops to Syria to assist Russia in fighting the troops that the United States has been supporting. On top of that, Cuba is still demanding that the U.S. leave Guantanamo Bay and return it to Cuba.

That’s not to suggest that the U.S. hasn’t received anything in return from Cuba as part of its effort to normalize relations between the two countries. Mark Knoller reports that the Buena Vista Social Club, a band of Cuban musicians made famous in the U.S. thanks to a 1999 documentary of the same name, is performing at la Casa Blanca this afternoon.

Buena Vista Social Club will permon at the #WhiteHouse today #CubaUS @BuenaVistaSocial #Cuba #US pic.twitter.com/nxL7JiY1bV

— Cuban Embassy in US (@EmbaCubaUS) October 15, 2015

Behind thicket of cameras, Buena Vista Social Club performs in WH. First Cuban musical group at WH in >50 yrs. pic.twitter.com/5PMXpGsezM

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 15, 2015

The WH performance today by The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club reflects the ongoing normalization of relations between the US and Cuba.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/PostmasterBen/status/654636019191574528

@markknoller Very progressive.

— I'm the Norm (@norm_ray) October 15, 2015

@markknoller Yep, and Cuban fighters in Syria aiding Assad…apt comparison…. Nero and Obama.

— Elbridge Condee (@econdee) October 15, 2015

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Grateful Calvin

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“.@markknoller: WH performance by Orquesta Buena Vista shows relations between US and Cuba.” So Barry's conga-lining while the world burns?

— Paul Demos (@UpperWSGuy) October 15, 2015

This isn’t a political event, though. The band is there to help President Obama celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by serving as the opening act for his remarks.

Buena Vista Social Club performing at Hispanic Heritage Month reception in the WH ahead of appearance by @POTUS. pic.twitter.com/VrgqcEWmde

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 15, 2015

@markknoller @ritaag @POTUS Buena Vista Social Club is the shit!

— Leftfielder™ (@DaleMoss2) October 15, 2015

They’re a great band, but we’re not sure the trade-off was worth it.