While entire neighborhoods in Camagüey remain shrouded in darkness due to prolonged power outages, provincial authorities opted to hold a musical tribute to Fidel Castro on Wednesday. This event, staged in the historic Plaza de San Juan de Dios, marked the culmination of the official week-long commemoration titled "100 Years with Fidel."
Dubbed the "Centennial Cantata #FidelForever," the event featured local artists who performed songs and music in honor of the deceased leader, commemorating the centenary of his birth—he was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, Holguín.
José Rodríguez Barreras, the Director of the Office of the Historian of Camagüey, reminisced about the speech Castro delivered at the same plaza on May 11, 1973, where he urged the people to fight "like the glorious cavalry of Ignacio Agramonte."
The gathering had a notable political undertone, as it included a segment honoring Ministry of the Interior combatants who were in Venezuela when U.S. forces apprehended Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. These individuals received accolades from the highest provincial authorities.
Jointly issued by the Communist Party of Cuba and the Venezuelan government, the certificates acknowledged the military personnel "for fulfilling their duty in defending sovereignty and preserving the life of President Nicolás Maduro Moros."
Among those honored were Yordanis Tamayo Brizuela, First Sub-Officer Osmaris Morine Roche, Second Lieutenant Yeandris Vázquez Torres, and Major Yoendis González Ayala, among others.
This official acknowledgment contrasts starkly with the daily struggles of Camagüey's residents. On the same day as the concert, the province experienced a 92 MW power shortfall due to a generation deficit, according to the August 15 blackout report. The day before, this deficit reached 115 MW, and earlier in the month, it escalated to 134 MW.
Residents have been vocal about enduring power cuts that exceed ten consecutive days due to transformer failures, with some communities facing up to 105 days without electricity.
"They are going to leave us in eternal darkness," lamented one resident, reflecting the widespread frustration documented earlier in August.
Nationwide, Cuba has faced at least seven total collapses of the National Electroenergetic System in 2026, with two occurring in August—on the second and fourth—with a maximum deficit of 2,411 MW recorded on August 4.
While the regime celebrated with cantatas and honors the centennial of its founder, the island's ongoing structural energy crisis—stemming from decades of underinvestment and mismanagement—continues to plunge the homes of the same Cubans summoned to the plaza into darkness.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What was the purpose of the musical tribute in Camagüey?
The musical tribute in Camagüey was held to honor Fidel Castro as part of the "100 Years with Fidel" commemoration, marking the centennial of his birth.
How severe is the power crisis in Camagüey?
Camagüey has faced significant power outages, with residents experiencing cuts lasting more than ten days and some communities being without electricity for up to 105 days.
What is the cause of Cuba's ongoing energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is attributed to decades of underinvestment and poor management, leading to frequent power shortages and system collapses.