While millions of Cuban women survive without electricity, water, and medicines, Miguel Díaz-Canel presided over a ceremony of honors for the 66th anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) this Thursday in Havana, an event that sparked a wave of ridicule on social media due to the chasm between official pomp and the hardship faced by the population.
The event took place in the El Laguito protocol hall of the Palace of Conventions, with the presence of Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly; Roberto Morales Ojeda, secretary of Organization of the Central Committee; and Teresa Amarelle Boué, general secretary of the FMC.
The highest recognition of the event was the Honorary Title of Heroine of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, awarded to Tamara Silvia Columbié Matos, described at the ceremony as someone who "has dedicated her intelligence and preparation to the struggles of Cuban women" for more than half a century of activism.
The Lázaro Peña Order of First Degree was also awarded to Cedalia Cabrera Monet, the Mariana Grajales Order to four women, the Ana Betancourt Order to 18 federated members, and the August 23 Distinction to 300 women nationwide, although it was symbolically received by nine during the event. The tribute was also framed within the celebrations for Fidel Castro's centenary.
The reaction on social media was overwhelming. In the Facebook post by the Presidency of Cuba, the comments turned the event into a blank canvas of sarcasm. "That diploma comes with electricity, water, medicine, and food—the essentials for living in peace—and it can also be used as toilet paper," wrote a user, in what became the most quoted phrase of the day.
Others pointed in the same direction. "Now with those medals, they come home and boil them for a good soup," one internet user joked. Another declared, "After that event, the country is a little poorer, spending on energy, logistics, and accommodation for nothing."
There were those who pointed fingers directly at the president: "A circus without bread… the president sure makes noise! Event and party, party and event!" One user bitterly complained: "All women who fight daily to survive are remarkable." And another added: "That's just another 'bottle' of salaries for not working. They do nothing. They produce nothing. They solve nothing. But they live well."
The context makes the contrast even more striking. So far in 2026, Cuba has experienced six total blackouts of the National Electric System, with a record deficit of 2,411 MW recorded on August 4, and daily outages ranging from 15 to 24 hours in urban areas. Millions of people are left without regular access to drinking water due to the reliance on electric pumps.
In terms of health, approximately 7 out of every 10 medications from the national basic list are missing, and only a very small portion of Cubans can obtain medications without difficulty. In Ciego de Ávila, the province was recently operating with barely 10% of the available medications.
Amarelle Boué herself had acknowledged in July that “Cuban women know that the crisis weighs more heavily on our shoulders”, although in February of the same year she had asserted that in Cuba “there is neither a failed state nor a collapse”. These are the same women to whom the regime handed diplomas and medals on Thursday in a ceremonial hall, while at home the electricity is out, water is scarce, and pharmacies remain empty.
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