The former spy and national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, toured neighborhoods in Matanzas on Sunday night to take part in the celebrations for the 66th anniversary of the organization, while the province remained in darkness.
Hernández posted on his Facebook account images from the night event with the text: "We are still waiting for #28DeSeptiembre in Matanzas. Visiting CDRs and trying caldosas!"
The photographs depict an outdoor gathering in the street, where a large pot is seen over hot coals. Neighbors approached, disposable cups in hand, to taste the classic caldosa cederista. All of this takes place during a blackout.
In one of the official CDR videos, slogans like "Long live the Cuban Revolution, long live the Party of Cuba. Cuba, Cuba, and Cuba, one sole entity in the whole world!" can be heard. The scene, festive in its presentation, contrasted sharply with the reality that millions of Cubans faced that very night, confined to their homes, lacking both the spirit to celebrate and electricity.
Matanzas was chosen as the venue for the national central event of the 66th anniversary due to being declared "National Vanguard" in the competition of the CDRs for 2026.
In September 2025, Hernández staged a similar scene during the 65th anniversary of the CDR in Ciego de Ávila, also amidst a crisis of blackouts, which drew criticism for displaying propaganda disconnected from daily reality.
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