Cubans unlikely to attend Grammys

The unrelenting political static between South Florida and Cuba has interfered again with the musical message of the Latin Grammys, which will be staged tonight in Miami. The BBC on Tuesday reported accusations from Cuban government officials who claim their Washington counterparts have deliberately stalled the visas for nominees who hail from the island nation. The British news agency also reported the return fire from U.S. diplomats, who blame delays on Havana.

Either way, the slowdown of documents is expected to keep Cuban nominees such as Los Van Van and Chucho Valdes away from the gala tonight, which will be broadcast on CBS.

In 2001, the Latin Grammys abruptly yanked their show out of Miami because of the tensions between the city’s strong exile community and the longtime Havana government of Fidel Castro. Tonight, police will monitor two separate protest areas outside the awards venue -- one protesting the invitation of the Cuban nationals, the other protesting the fact that they have not been allowed into the country.

Despite the vagaries of U.S.-Cuba relations, the show will open with an all-star tribute to one of Cuba’s most famous figures, the late Celia Cruz.