Kneecap Perform in Havana as Part of Humanitarian Aid Convoy: “As Long as Cuba Calls, Ireland Will Answer”

Kneecap touched down in Cuba on Saturday, March 21st, as part of the Nuestra América Convoy, which arrived on the island with critical supplies including medicine, water, food, and solar panels. They also delivered a live performance in Havana while leading chants of “¡Cuba Sí, Bloqueo No!,” which translates to “Cuba, yes! Blockade no!”

Part of their show was captured on video by Ireland’s Virgin Media News, which also spoke with Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (aka Mo Chara), Kneecap’s most vocal member. “[I’m here] to continue that long line of Irish and Cuban solidarity,” the rapper said, adding that he isn’t addressing Trump directly because he doesn’t believe the US President “listens to reason.”

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“So, my message is to the Cuban people rather than to Trump,” he continued. “We hope you understand that the Irish people, we see you, we hear you, and we support you. For as long as Cuba calls, Ireland will answer.”

Fellow Kneecap member Naoise Ó Cairealláin (aka Móglaí Bap) added, “A collective punishment isn’t fair. Punishing a whole country like the way they do it in Palestine… I don’t think that’s right.”

Speaking to the Irish public broadcaster RTÉ, Mo Chara stated that Kneecap’s Irish background would not allow them to “watch these things happen internationally or domestically and stay silent. We see the island of Cuba being strangled. It’s important that people who have a platform like us, who reach maybe a certain number of audiences… that we use that platform for what’s right and what’s good.”

The Nuestra América Convoy arrived in Cuba in response to the humanitarian crisis following the Trump administration’s capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, which has cut the island off from its primary source of oil.

There was a question of whether Kneecap could make it to Cuba due to an unfounded 2025 terror charge that was dropped in September, and forced the group to cancel their North American tour. However, the flotilla sailed from Mexico across the Caribbean Sea, avoiding potential US interference.

Other members of the convoy include former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Colombian Senator Clara Lopez, former Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias Turrión, Brazilian humanitarian and activist Thiago Ávila, and political commentator Hasan Piker.

Kneecap are set to release their third studio album, FENIAN, on April 24th, after previewing it with singles including “Liars Tale” and “Smugglers & Scholars.” Pre-orders are available here.

The trio is currently slated for a string of UK and European dates, featuring a mix of festival appearances and headlining shows, from July through August and then another short leg in November. Get tickets here.