A horse-drawn cart adorned with balloons, natural leaves, and Cuban flags, featuring a woman reclining on a green platform while individuals dressed in surgical attire "attend" to her: this was the spectacle the regime showcased on Friday during the May Day parade in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, as a representation of the "achievements" of maternity on the Island.
The images, shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, sparked numerous sarcastic and outraged comments.
A Parade Marked by Irony and Outrage
The parade in Santiago, led by Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly, was held under the slogan "The Homeland is Defended" and dedicated to the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth. The block of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) led the march, acknowledging their "work."
Social media reactions were swift. "What a farce, for God's sake," one user commented. "This is embarrassing, who comes up with these ideas..." added another. A third summed up the collective sentiment: "I can't take these absurdities anymore, the world is moving forward while we make fools of ourselves, and as if that weren't enough, we post it on social media as something glorious, no words."
The Reality Behind the Facade
The sharpest comments were not long in coming. "This is called creative endurance," one user mocked. "These are the achievements," another stated bluntly in three words. Someone else pointed out with resignation, "70 more years of revolution remain." And there was a warning: "The problem is we're not far from reality; this is the trailer of a movie we're going to see if nothing changes in this country, what a shame..."
A user who experienced motherhood in Palma Soriano was more direct: "Oh, my God, how long will this go on? Proud of what? Everyone knows that a pregnancy in Cuba is not a good thing now."
Stark Contrast with the Harsh Reality
The disparity between the staged scene and reality couldn't be more stark. Just two days before the parade, reports emerged about the conditions at the Maternal Hospital of Camagüey, where pregnant women wait to give birth in unventilated and unhygienic hallways, on worn-out mattresses. The Lenin Hospital in Holguín operates with 60-year-old Soviet surgical equipment, facing oxygen shortages and infestations of bedbugs and cockroaches.
Infant mortality in Havana reached 14 per 1,000 live births in 2026, the highest in two decades, a figure acknowledged by the authorities themselves. Over 32,800 pregnant women face risks due to the fuel deficit affecting hospital generators during deliveries.
This is not the first time the regime has resorted to such "creativity." In May 2022, in Majagua, Ciego de Ávila, pregnant women paraded in a horse cart with the sign "Vamos por más" ("Let's go for more"). In 2018, in Placetas, Villa Clara, horse carts were presented as ambulances during the same parade. Palma Soriano 2026 is not an anomaly; it's a pattern.
Cuba recorded just 71,358 births in 2024, a historic low in 65 years, with a fertility rate of 1.5 children per woman. As the healthcare system continues to collapse and maternal hospitals deteriorate, the regime stages a scene of joyful motherhood on wooden wheels with balloons and palms. "They outdo themselves every year," wrote a Cuban. It's hard to disagree.
Questions on Cuba's Maternity Challenges
What was the purpose of the horse-drawn cart display in Palma Soriano?
The horse-drawn cart display in Palma Soriano was meant to showcase the "achievements" of maternity on the island during the May Day parade, although it received widespread criticism for its unrealistic portrayal.
How have social media users reacted to the parade?
Social media users reacted with sarcasm and outrage, criticizing the parade for its absurdity and for presenting an unrealistic picture of the state of maternity care in Cuba.
What are the conditions of maternal hospitals in Cuba?
Maternal hospitals in Cuba face dire conditions, with reports of women giving birth in unhygienic and unventilated spaces, using outdated equipment, and suffering from shortages of essential resources like oxygen.
Why is the parade in Palma Soriano considered part of a pattern?
The parade is considered part of a pattern as similar displays have occurred in previous years, such as in Majagua and Placetas, where horse carts were used to make exaggerated claims about progress in maternal care.