Grammy-nominated Cubans denied US visas

Cuban musicians invited to attend this weekend’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles have been denied US visas needed to attend the ceremony, a Cuban Culture Ministry official said.

“Something as noble as music is being converted into a policy against Cuba,” Vice Minister of Culture Abel Acosta said.

Surrounded by some of the Cuban musicians nominated for awards, Mr Acosta showed journalists the letters from the US Interests Section in Havana, denying their visa requests.

Officials at the US mission declined to comment.

Singer Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club, a multiple Grammy winner, was among those at the news conference. Other Cuban artists nominated for this year’s Grammy awards were percussionist Amadito Valdes, veteran guitarist Manuel Galvan, and singer Barbarito Torres.

Ferrer and pianist Chucho Valdes were among the Cuban artists who missed the Latin Grammy Awards in Miami last year because their visas did not arrive in time.

US officials at the time said most of the musicians applied for the visas too late under stricter rules and that several – including Ferrer and Chucho Valdes - did not apply at all.