Attention, residents of Bayamo! If you were thinking of bringing apples, buying sunglasses, or debuting a new t-shirt at the carnival in your city, you might want to think twice.
This is because an officer of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) announced on local television that the sale of apples, glasses, and industrial clothing at the Bayamo carnival is prohibited, which takes place from August 7 to 10.
"Special attention will be given to the misdemeanors committed by citizens, such as public disorder, using obscene language, breaking glass bottles, and the sale of glasses, apples, and also industrially manufactured clothing," stated the officer in an interview broadcasted by the official television channel CNCTV Granma.
The unusual list of "prohibitions" has left many Cubans bewildered. Since when do selling apples or glasses pose a threat to public order? What logic is behind banning completely harmless items that, for many, are even unnecessary, at an event that is supposed to be festive?
As expected, the report from CNCTV was removed shortly after its publication. But it was too late. The Cuban journalist Rolando Nápoles, who resides in the United States, managed to capture the original video and share it, thereby preserving a testimony that reveals much more than mere communicative clumsiness; it evidences the regime's obsessive control over every aspect of public life, even the seemingly trivial.
The Bayamo carnivals are not the only ones taking place amidst a deep economic and energy crisis. Each region has organized its “festivities” under curfews, power outages, and absurd restrictions.
In each case, the State tries to maintain the illusion of normality and “popular joy” while tightening the screws of social control.
But what happened in Bayamo marks a new level of absurdity. Prohibiting the sale of apples in an island where finding any fruit is already a daily miracle seems like a cruel joke, and restricting glasses or clothing says more about state paranoia than about a serious strategy to ensure safety.
While the people survive amid scarcity, blackouts, and repression, the authorities continue to fine-tune a carnival that, rather than a celebration, seems like a parade of absurdities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bans in the Bayamo Carnivals
Why was the sale of apples, glasses, and clothing banned at the Bayamo carnival?
The ban was announced by an officer of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), who indicated that attention will be paid to certain public indiscipline. The measure seems to be part of an obsessive control by the regime over public life, although it has not been explained how these items pose a threat to public order.
How does Cuba's economic crisis affect the Bayamo carnival?
The economic and energy crisis in Cuba has impacted the festivities in Bayamo, which take place amidst blackouts and shortages of basic products. The authorities are trying to maintain an appearance of normalcy by organizing festive events, despite criticisms of disconnecting from the real needs of the population.
What kind of additional restrictions have been observed during the celebrations in Cuba?
In recent festivities in other cities in Cuba, such as Santiago de Cuba, curfews and time restrictions have been imposed. These measures reflect an attempt by the government to control the festive atmosphere while facing a crisis of legitimacy and social discontent.
How does the Cuban population respond to these restrictions and festivities amid the crisis?
The population has expressed its discontent through protests, such as those that occurred in Bayamo in May 2025, where concrete solutions were demanded for power outages and food shortages. The people are increasingly frustrated with the lack of real answers to their needs, and festivities are seen as a distraction from the crisis.
Filed under: