As thousands of Cubans endure power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day and the informal exchange rate approaches 673 pesos per dollar, the Cuban regime has found another way to pay homage to the late dictator: transforming the traditional Matanzas Bay Swim into a tribute to Fidel Castro's centennial. According to the Cuban News Agency, the 56th edition of this sporting event was officially presented as a "salute to the birth anniversary of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution."
The competition, held this past Saturday, challenged participants to swim 2.5 kilometers from the old Port of Matanzas to El Tenis beach. Héctor Calatayú Santana, an employee of the Etecsa Matanzas team, emerged victorious, completing the swim in 37 minutes and 46 seconds, reportedly without showing signs of fatigue and pleased with his performance.
A Sporting Event or Political Propaganda?
The local regime mouthpiece, Periódico Girón, described the event with characteristic enthusiasm: "The strokes begin vigorously from the old Port of Matanzas. The 2.5-kilometer journey may seem short, but navigating the bay's waters and currents requires more than just determination." Ironically, for many Cubans, finding food or electricity also demands more than sheer willpower.
The state agency's report did not shy away from propaganda. A social media user was quoted saying that participants "challenge their bodies while honoring a man who feared no challenges." This is the same man who, for decades, subjected his people to hunger, repression, and poverty.
Historical Significance and International Participation
Periódico Girón added, with its usual solemnity, that "the Bay Crossing is more than a competition among swimmers of various ages; it's a personal challenge with the sea as a witness." A fitting metaphor for a competition that, in 2026, the regime has woven into its centennial propaganda machinery, much like it did with the circus in Ciego de Ávila, "revolutionary" blood donations, and marches across the island.
Dating back to the 1970s, this swim competition has over five decades of history and is coordinated by the Matanzas Sports Directorate. The 2024 edition gathered 74 swimmers aged between 12 and 82. The 2025 event promises over 150 Cuban athletes, along with a team from Mexico, marking the first international participation in the event's history, according to INDER. The record for the swim belongs to former triathlete Michel González Castro, who completed the course in 29 minutes and 43 seconds on August 12, 2018.
More than Just a Swim
The swim was merely an appetizer. The official press announced the "Fidelísimos" Cultural Festival in Matanzas from August 11 to 14, featuring performances by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Afrocuba, the Failde Orchestra, and the Cantata Arte Fiel, alongside exhibitions, discussions, and a final gala at the Sauto Theater. Nationally, the regime scheduled the first International Colloquium "Fidel: Legacy and Future" from August 10 to 13 at the Havana Convention Center. Meanwhile, leftist Italians have arrived on the island to join in the festivities.
All this unfolds as the National Electric System has experienced at least seven total collapses in 2026. Just four days before the swimming event, on August 4, a historic record electric deficit of 2,411 MW was recorded, with blackouts in some provinces lasting up to 20 hours daily.
The ACN, loyal to its mission, concluded its report on the sporting event by noting that the activities aim to "encourage popular participation, and connect with history and nature." What it didn't mention is that connecting with nature becomes much easier when there's no electricity for anything else.
Understanding the Matanzas Bay Swim and Its Significance
What is the Matanzas Bay Swim?
The Matanzas Bay Swim is a 2.5-kilometer swimming competition in Cuba, held annually since the 1970s. Participants swim from the old Port of Matanzas to El Tenis beach.
Why was the swim dedicated to Fidel Castro this year?
This year, the swim was dedicated to Fidel Castro as part of the Cuban regime's centennial celebrations for the late dictator, integrating sports events into broader propaganda efforts.
How has the Matanzas Bay Swim evolved over the years?
The event has grown to include over 150 athletes from Cuba and, recently, international participants from Mexico, marking a new chapter in its history.
What challenges do Cubans face apart from the Matanzas Bay Swim?
Cubans are currently dealing with severe power outages, with some areas experiencing blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day, amidst a challenging economic climate.