Miami, Aug 13 (EFE) Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes defended himself from criticism surrounding his decision to hold a 'concert for peace' in Cuba, saying his goal is to convey the message that 'it's time to change minds'.

'Going to Cuba is a symbol that it's time to change (people's) minds,' an opportunity to tell the world that 'people have to change' and defend peaceful coexistence among peoples, the artist said in an interview on American network Univision's Spanish-language 'Aqui y Ahora' programme.

The vehemently anti-Castro, Cuban-exile population in Miami has harshly criticised Juanes over the concert, saying he will be an 'accomplice' of the Cuban regime if he performs there without denouncing the 'rights violations being committed' on the communist-ruled island.

Artists from the US, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Argentina are scheduled to join the 12-time Latin Grammy winner for the Sep 20 concert in Havana.

The Colombian pop star, who currently lives in Miami, said the last thing he wants to do is to 'offend Cubans living away from the island' and who have called on Juanes to sing in the name of freedom and not of peace.

Juanes said he has the support of the US government for his plans to give the concert at Havana's Plaza de la Revolucion.