As November progresses, Havana's authorities have yet to announce whether the city will host its anticipated carnival celebrations, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty. In October, state media enthusiastically heralded the event's return to the historic center of Old Havana, but recent events have cast doubt on these plans.
The aftermath of Hurricane Rafael has compounded the ongoing energy crisis, further complicating the situation. Six days after the hurricane's destructive passage, parts of the city remain without power. The Electric Company reported on Facebook that 91.45% of customers currently have electricity, with efforts ongoing to restore service to all affected areas. Additionally, Cuba has recently endured two nationwide blackouts lasting several days.
Despite these challenges, there has been no official statement on whether the carnival will proceed or be canceled, a decision the regime has made in the past under similar circumstances. When the carnival was initially announced, the Electric Union implemented several measures due to the electro-energy emergency, suspending all non-essential services that consume energy, including cultural activities in both the state and private sectors.
Just four days later, the Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a total disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN) following the failure of the Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, leading to a complete blackout. It took four days to synchronize the SEN after the collapse.
In 2022, the government canceled the festivities due to the country's "energy and transportation contingency." As Havana awaits a decision, the city's residents remain in the dark about the fate of this year's carnival.