Peace Concert in Cuba- A call for tolerance?

Columbian rocker Juanes's peace concert in Cuba "Peace without borders" is taking place as I write this. Fifteen Top Latin American, Spanish and Cuban performers are there right now in what is the most prevalent open air concert since the 1959 revolution. Half a million people have turned up under the broiling Havana sun to partake in the largest celebration they may have ever seen. The singer, best known for his hits La Camisa Negra, calls it "an apolitical expression of peace and a desire to bring nations together through music."

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A group of twenty high profile jailed political dissidents announced their support for the concert last week, causing many to believe this is a concert in favour of the current Communist regime more than about alleged "peace". Cuban Exiles in Miami such as Gloria Estefan and Willy Chirino, who were invited to play in their native country for the concert, actively refused, saying it would bring positive press for the Cuban government. They both agreed it would encourage the removal of the US Embargo on Cuba, something they passionately contest. Others have even gone as far as labelling the singer a "traitor" when he himself leads the high life in Miami. Juanes replied to this by saying the aim of the concert is only to ease political tensions. Unfortunately for Miami based critics of the Cuban Regime, Juanes's plight did not convince them and it is even rumoured that he has received multiple death threats in the last few days on his Twitter account.
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Whatever Juanes says, we cannot avoid the fact that the concert is taking place in Cuba in Revolution Square where the Communist Headquarters are located, right next to a giant sculpture of Che Guevara's head. It is also the same square in which President Fidel Castro gave his famous five hour speeches, leaving many to doubt the intent of this concert. Two of the most pro-revolutionary artists in Cuba, Silvio Rodrigez and Amaury Perez, are also taking part in the concert, making some more than sceptic.
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In a recent interview, Juanes claimed the event was meant to set aside ideological differences and "knock down our mental walls". It seems if this was really the case he should be talking more about the freedom in the country. It seems contradictory to encourage political entente, when the Cuban authorities restrict so many of its occupants to express themselves. Cuba is still a country that suffers from grave censorship issues and is still very much under the reigns of Communism with thousands of prisoners unjustly in jail due to dictatorship. Perhaps these are more pressing issues that should be addressed rather than naively calling for peace through music. It seems imminent democracy is what the country really needs. It will be interesting to see what comes of the concert, if anything.

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At least there will be beautiful music, but peace or freedom? I'm not convinced.