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While Cuba is experiencing one of the worst energy crises in years, with fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts, and halted transportation, the regime in Havana mobilized convoys of buses and official vehicles on Monday to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the landing of the yacht Granma at Playa Las Coloradas, Niquero.
Images released by provincial regime media, such as CNC TV Granma, show lines of buses transporting participants to the political event, while most Cubans face enormous difficulties even moving within their own municipalities.
"From the municipal headquarters in Niquero, the caravan with participants in the provincial event for the #69thAnniversary of the Granma Yacht Landing set off," state television reported, showing images of the mobilization.
The commemoration was presided over by Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Granma, and Yaritza Jérez Cabrera, the first secretary of the UJC in the region, along with other political and governmental officials.
According to the official press, the event included the issuance of membership cards to new communist members and speeches about "unity and patriotism inherited from the heroes of the Revolution."
The event, however, sparked criticism and outrage on social media, where users questioned the use of state fuel and transportation for political activities while resources for the population are dwindling.
The island endures endless blackouts and there is also no fuel to fumigate and control the mosquito infestation, which causes several arboviral diseases on the island.
In cities like Holguín, Camagüey, and Havana, public transportation is almost at a standstill, and the lines to obtain gasoline or diesel last for days.
"For the Party's events, there is always fuel, but when it comes to transporting the sick or food, not a drop is available," wrote an internet user, reflecting the widespread public discontent across the country.
The event reiterated the traditional slogans of the government, including the phrase attributed to Fidel Castro: "If we go out, we arrive; if we arrive, we enter; if we enter, we triumph."
The state press praised the landing of the 82 expeditionaries from the yacht Granma as "the foundation of the Cuban Revolution," while ignoring the critical economic and social situation facing the island.
The commemoration of December 2, 1956 takes place amidst one of the worst fuel supply crises since the so-called "Special Period".
In many provinces, hospitals have had to reduce services, thermoelectric plants are operating at a minimum, and intermunicipal transportation is practically suspended.
Despite this, the regime continues its agenda of political and symbolic events with extensive media coverage and resource mobilization.
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