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Havana once again hosts the Habano Festival, a luxury event that celebrates the exclusivity of Cuban tobacco while the country faces one of its worst energy and economic crises in decades. With blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day in various provinces, the celebration of this event has sparked a wave of criticism on social media, where Cubans express their outrage at what they see as a demonstration of the government's disconnection from the realities of the people.
A luxury festival in a country in the dark
According to official information from Cubadebate, the twenty-fifth edition of the Habanos Festival brings together more than 1,300 participants from 70 countries and will be held until February 28 at the Palacio de Convenciones in Havana. Organized by Habanos S.A., the event includes visits to plantations in Pinar del Río, tours of factories, conferences, and a trade fair featuring 80 international exhibitors.
However, the celebration of the festival contrasts with the reality of the country. On social media, Cubans have reported that while Havana is hosting events, the rest of the island is facing blackouts of up to 20 hours a day, food shortages, a lack of medication, and rampant inflation that makes survival nearly impossible.
One of the most frequently raised questions is about where the millions of dollars collected by Habanos S.A. go, which reported sales of 721 million euros in 2024. Year after year, the government claims that the funds from the Humidor Auction are allocated to the public health system, but the reality in Cuban hospitals does not reflect improvements.
"Hypocrites": Reactions of Cubans on social media
Criticism on social media has been swift. Cubans from various provinces have denounced the government's indifference, highlighting the irony that while the Habano Festival is proceeding smoothly, the people are facing a shortage of cigars and exorbitant prices in the black market. "The Cuban's habano festival is the cigar box at 1000 pesos and the tobacco at 130," commented one user, reflecting the frustration of many. "Come on, they have some nerve. A country in darkness and they’re holding a festival," said another.
Some wonder how it's possible that "the money from the cigars isn't used even to buy a screw for the thermoelectric plants." Another user criticized the event, stating that "that festival is for the second private plane because three big shots with their bags of cash can't fit in just one."
The question about the fate of the money generated is also recurring. "What happened to the money from last year's auction? Not a single bandage has been seen in the hospitals," a commentator complained. Meanwhile, the energy crisis is fueling discontent: "Camagüey with 22 hours of blackouts and they are celebrating," they denounced on social media. "It's like the Titanic, the ship is sinking and the orchestra keeps playing," another user ironized.
The widespread discontent also highlights the inequality in access to resources: "The people have no cigarettes, and when they do appear, they cost 500 or 1500 pesos," some complained. "Another fair for tourists and the elite while ordinary Cubans don't even have electricity," stated one user. Others reflect on the lack of investment in essential services: "How many fans or incubators could be bought with what that festival cost?" and "They waste electricity at the Convention Palace while we in the East continue to experience blackouts."
Luxury events while the people suffer
The Habanos Festival is not the only luxury event that has generated discontent among Cubans. Recently, the Salsa Festival also faced criticism as it was held with a significant display of resources in Havana while provinces such as Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Camagüey experienced power outages lasting over 20 hours.
Furthermore, the scarcity of tobacco for local consumption has heightened indignation. Recent reports indicate that a box of Criollo cigars, which should officially cost 30 CUP, is being sold on the street for as much as 500 CUP, while a box of H. Upmann reaches 1,500 CUP. Despite Tabacuba announcing that it has exceeded its production plan, Cuban consumers still lack access to these products.
A recurring criticism
The Habano Festival is held annually regardless of the economic crisis the country is facing. In 2024, the previous edition also faced strong criticism due to the contrast between the luxury of the event and the precarious conditions in which most Cubans live. Promises to allocate the proceeds to public health have been constant, but the reality in hospitals remains bleak.
The question remains unanswered: Where is the money from the auctioned humidors and from the millions generated by the sale of Cuban tobacco abroad? While the government continues to hold these events, the Cuban people are still waiting for answers and solutions to a crisis that seems never-ending.
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