Stalinist Cuba’s KGB-founded and mentored media was all about welcoming Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones to Cuba. And why not? Their concert added $$MILLIONS to the Stalinist regime’s coffers–especially to those of the military and secret police, who own the Stalinist nations’ tourism infrastructure lock, stock and barrel.
Simple: the “rebel” thing was always strictly limited to “rebelling” against a particular side–the politically and culturally unfashionable one, NOT its opposite. Yes, the Stones are geriatric now, but they’re sticking to their established packaging, which has served them exceedingly well. Same as Cuban geezer Silvio Rodríguez.
The Stones probably “did Cuba” for several reasons, including publicity, vanity and self-indulgence. They certainly didn’t need it, but sometimes people do things just because they can.
Of course if Jagger wanted to use his freedom to encourage Cubans to give up Communism and try capitalism, he would be swept off the stage and maybe messed with a bit before they let him go back to where he came from. And they would let him know he is not welcome any more.
But not to worry. He is just another useful idiot who thinks things are fabulous in Cuba.
Jagger may be smarter than the average rock star, so he may know things are not fabulous in Cuba, but most foreigners figure Cuba is the way it’s supposed to be. In any case, he got his jollies.