The Panamanian singer-songwriter Rubén Blades denounced this Wednesday the unauthorized use of his music by the Spanish party Vox “for the creation of a crude political parody,” in what he sees as a “violation” of his copyright. “Let it be clear that I am not part of the VOX agenda, that we were not consulted for the creation of this crude parody, and that I consider the use of my musical or literary creations without permission a violation of my copyright. What does the Society of Authors of Spain say about this?” says Baldes in a public statement released this Wednesday on his social networks.
The Panamanian singer-songwriter and activist, 76 years old and multiple winner of awards such as the Latin Grammy, does not identify the “crude parody” in which his music has been used without his authorization, but Spanish media have reproduced a video published in recent hours on Vox’s X account with a version of “Pedro Navaja”, one of Blades’ greatest hits. “The viral VOX video clip that Pedro Sánchez doesn’t want you to listen to. “Let’s spread PEDRO NAVAJA,” says a message published on December 31, 2024 on the X account of the Spanish ultra-conservative party.
Blades insists in his letter that he has not given authorization “to parties or groups of any kind to use my songs for political purposes, in any country.” “It is even more insulting to me that this violation of my copyright comes from those who support projects that seek to destroy the democratic essence that allows the greatest possible representation of the human social ideal and the creation of a more just and supportive society,” he adds. the artist and former Minister of Tourism of Panama.