Beyonce and Jay-Z are being criticized for spending their fifth anniversary in Cuba.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, the Executive Director of Cuba Democracy Advocates in Washington, D.C., a group dedicated to promoting democracy in the Caribbean country, blasted the hip-hop power couple for vacationing in the communist nation.
"There are women getting beaten on a daily basis, women who are being jailed for no reason ... people are fighting for their freedom," he told TMZ, claiming Beyonce and Jay-Z's failed to educate themselves on Cuba's human rights (http://www.tmz.com/2013/04/05/jay-z-beyonce-cuba-anniversary-trip-criticized/?adid=hero2) violations before making the trip. "It's extremely insensitive," he added.
News of the visit spread when Beyonce and Jay-Z were photographed in Havana (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/beyonce-jay-z-cuba-anniversary_n_3016226.html) earlier this week, dining at local restaurants and touring historical locations. But it remains unclear why they chose to visit the region to celebrate their April 4 wedding anniversary.
The Associated Press notes America's 51-year embargo makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba solely for tourism. Travelers can visit the country legally by obtaining a "cultural exchange" license (http://www.tmz.com/2013/04/05/jay-z-beyonce-cuba-vacation-photos/), however.
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which approves travel to the country, would not comment on Beyonce and Jay-Z's individual case.
This is not the first time the "Love On Top" singer has offended in recent weeks.
When Beyonce, who has recently referred to herself as a "modern day feminist," (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/beyonce-vogue-uk-cover-confirmed-_n_3007108.html) released her newest single, "Bow Down/I Been On," (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/17/beyonce-bow-down-hit-boy_n_2897492.html) on March 17, she was criticized for the song's seemingly misogynistic lyrics (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/keyshia-cole-blasts-beyonces-lyrics-bow-down-i-been-on_n_2903046.html).
Via: HuffingtonPost