While millions of Cubans endure blackouts that exceed 20 hours daily and a severe shortage of food and transportation, the event "Start of Summer 2K26" took place this weekend at the Hotel Resonance Musique in Varadero, featuring 72 continuous hours of urban music, triggering a wave of outrage on social media.
The event, organized by the audiovisual project Fiesta Havana and Rey Puma, featured artists like Yomil, Ja Rulay, Wildey, Zurdo MC, and El Micha, among others.
The project "La Familia Cubana" shared videos of the performances on social media, igniting the reaction of hundreds of Cubans who denounced the contrast between the luxurious celebration and the reality of the country.
Sandro Castro, grandson of the late dictator Fidel Castro, also promoted the event on Instagram with an agenda that included lunch at Casa Dupont, jet skiing, and a beach party, further intensifying public outrage.
All of this was happening at a time when the Electric Union reported an electrical deficit of between 1,930 and 1,960 MW during peak hours, with only 1,170 MW available against a demand of 3,100 MW.
The activist Manuel Viera summarized the feelings of many: "The country is in darkness, hungry, tarnished with coal, and under the threat of armed conflict, and these people are going to Varadero to promote vulgarity and discord in something they want to portray as a celebration for the start of summer accessible to the people of Cuba."
Viera also pointed out the change in a once-popular tradition: “Previously, the start of summer was celebrated in neighborhoods or on the boardwalk, but for a few years now, the audacity has reached such a level that it is held in luxury hotels accessible only to the elite, focusing more on promoting the tarnished official tourism than on the well-being of the people.”
Los Pichy Boys also criticized the parties in Varadero y las calificaron como un intento de la dictadura cubana de «demostrar normalidad» en medio de la crisis.
Comments on social media reflected a unanimous outrage. Kelvis Mario Marino Valdés wrote: "It seems like a mockery of human intelligence. So much misery, so much hunger, and such a lack of everything, and they go to Varadero to try to pretend to represent Cuba's decadent tourism."
Vivian de la Cuetara highlighted the geographical paradox: "Next door, Santa Marta is in the dark. They only have electricity for two or three hours a day. The event is just for the new wealthy."
Elba González Gómez was straightforward: "Summer start? Guanabo is quiet almost all day and there's no transportation. I don’t know what summer an average Cuban will enjoy."
Omarito Gazmuri Mendoza questioned the business model behind the event: "Cuba has long been in the hands of a few wealthy individuals who have gotten involved with the government. The problem is that they are profiting from the misery of the majority so that a minority can attend these events."
Several users also questioned the nature of the project "La Familia Cubana" and its ties to the regime, asking who finances its productions and why its members are able to make subtle critiques of the State while other young people are detained for the same thing.
Diana Elena Batista Escobar summed it up with a powerful image: "Cuban families cannot have a proper start or enjoyment of summer. A round-trip ticket to the beach costs more than a package of chicken."
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