Ruben Blades: I’m on the Left, but Not the Dictators’ Left
This article is a summary of reporting by Havana Times. Originally published November 5, 2025.
During an appearance at the BIME music conference, Panamanian icon Rubén Blades discussed his career as a chronicler of everyday human life rather than a proponent of partisan slogans. The multi-Grammy winner credited his Panamanian upbringing and grandmother's moral guidance for shaping his character and ethical outlook. Blades noted how his background in law helped protect him in the music industry and framed salsa as a historic vehicle of social resistance against racism.
AI Summary
Rubén Blades reflected on his music career, political perspectives, and childhood in Panama during an industry gathering in Bilbao.
More in Arts & Culture
Casco Viejo and its colonial plazas in Panama-Stadt
A guide to the historical fortifications, squares, and architectural beauty of Panama City's colonial district.
Panama Learned to Taste Coffee. Cacao May Be Next.
Building on Panama's refined specialty coffee tasting culture, local culinary pioneers are exploring single-origin cacao from Chiriquí.
Transcontinental railroad and canal projects
An examination of 19th-century infrastructure initiatives in Panama, focusing on the construction of the transcontinental railway and subsequent canal
MAC Panamá Selects Palma + Taller TO to Design Its New Museum Building
Panama's Museum of Contemporary Art selected Mexican architecture studios Palma and Taller TO to design its next institution building.
Casco Viejo, Panama City—One of the World's Coolest Neighbourhoods
Ranked among global hotspots, Casco Viejo attracts significant investment as heritage restoration meets vibrant local culture.
Panama and OAS Museum Present the Exhibition
A collaborative exhibition showcases 40 works by Panamanian artists from major regional collections.