While thousands of residents in Matanzas endure blackouts lasting over 24, 38, and even 72 hours, the streets of the historic center echoed this weekend with the Drums of Bejucal during the closing of the Rumba King 2025 Festival.
The celebration, filled with color and Cuban spirit, stood in stark contrast to the exhaustion of a population suffering from endless blackouts and a shortage of drinking water.
As part of the cultural event, musicians and dancers paraded down Milanés Street, bringing to life one of the city's oldest and most popular traditions: the Bejucal Drums procession, now as guests of the festival that celebrated its second edition.
"Rumbaking is and will be a gift for the people of Matanzas," expressed the organization on their social media, where they also highlighted the participation of groups such as Afrocuba, Rumbatá, and the Tambores de Bejucal themselves.
The photo report of the event, published by the newspaper Girón, features vibrant images of neighbors dancing in the street under the sun.
On the other side of the city, however, the story was different. On social media, creator Sheyla Reyes (@sheyreyes032) reported that she had been without electricity for 38 consecutive hours.
In the midst of the blackout, a fire also broke out at a corner of the neighborhood due to the burning of a trash pile.
"It was the first time I had seen anything like that... it was stunning," he recounted, while documenting the moment the firefighters arrived. At the same time, he was cooking with a generator and celebrating with relief the ability to drink a "little bit of cold water."
Hours later, the power briefly returned, but the blackout returned.
In publications like that of Zea Gisselle, another Cuban who recently visited the province, extreme situations are reported: lack of water for months, absent gas, no mobile connectivity, and systematic censorship.
"Matanzas is agony... people don’t live, they endure," he wrote on Facebook.
It ensures that residents have to climb up and down hills with tanks and buckets to get water, while facing scorching temperatures and a collapsed utility network.
"The party was real, but so was the blackout," said several residents of Matanzas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages and the Situation in Matanzas, Cuba
Why are prolonged blackouts occurring in Matanzas?
The prolonged power outages in Matanzas are due to the energy crisis affecting Cuba, characterized by the lack of maintenance of thermal power plants, fuel shortages, and deteriorating electrical infrastructure. The situation has worsened in recent months, causing power cuts of up to 72 hours in some regions of the province.
How is the electricity crisis affecting the daily lives of the people in Matanzas?
The electricity crisis in Matanzas has severely affected the daily lives of its residents. Prolonged power outages hinder access to drinking water, food preservation, and communication due to the lack of mobile coverage. Additionally, the population is facing high temperatures without adequate ventilation, which has increased discomfort and desperation among citizens.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address this energy crisis?
The Cuban government has announced plans to install photovoltaic parks and improve electricity generation; however, these promises have not resulted in tangible improvements for the population. Persistent blackouts and the lack of clear communication from the authorities have kept citizens in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
How is the population of Matanzas reacting to the blackouts and the current situation?
The population of Matanzas is reacting with outrage and despair to the power outages and widespread crisis. Many people have turned to social media to express their frustration and denounce the lack of effective solutions. However, government control over information and the lack of freedom of expression limit the possibilities for organized protest.
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