While thousands of residents in Matanzas endure power outages lasting up to 24, 38, or even 72 hours, the streets of the historic center were alive with the sounds of the Bejucal Drums this past weekend. This event marked the conclusion of the Rumba King Festival 2025. The vibrant celebration, rich in Cuban culture, starkly contrasted with the weary population suffering from relentless blackouts and a lack of potable water.
As part of the cultural festivities, musicians and dancers paraded down Milanés Street, reviving one of the city's most cherished traditions: the Bejucal Drums parade, now a featured guest of the festival in its second edition. "Rumbaking is and always will be a gift for the people of Matanzas," the organizers shared on social media, highlighting the participation of groups such as Afrocuba, Rumbatá, and the Bejucal Drums themselves.
The photo report from the event, published by Periódico Girón, captures vibrant images of locals dancing in the streets under the sun. However, on the other side of the city, the situation was drastically different. Social media user Sheyla Reyes (@sheyreyes032) reported enduring 38 consecutive hours without electricity.
Amidst the blackout, a fire broke out at a street corner due to burning garbage. "It was the first time I saw something like that... it was overwhelming," she recounted while documenting the arrival of firefighters. Concurrently, she was cooking with a generator and expressed relief at having a "little bit of cold water" to drink.
Although power briefly returned, the blackout soon resumed. Posts like those from Zea Gisselle, another Cuban who recently visited the province, highlight extreme conditions: months-long water shortages, no gas, nonexistent mobile connectivity, and systematic censorship.
"Matanzas is agony... people don't live, they endure," she wrote on Facebook. Residents are reportedly forced to traverse hills with tanks and buckets to fetch water while facing oppressive heat and a collapsed public service network.
"The celebration was real, but so was the blackout," several Matanzas residents stated.
Understanding the Situation in Matanzas
What is the Rumba King Festival?
The Rumba King Festival is an annual cultural event in Matanzas, celebrating Cuban music and dance, featuring traditional performances such as the Bejucal Drums parade.
How are residents coping with prolonged blackouts in Matanzas?
Residents are struggling with persistent power outages, relying on generators for basic needs, and facing additional challenges such as water shortages and heat.
What challenges do people in Matanzas face beyond power outages?
In addition to blackouts, Matanzas residents deal with issues like water and gas shortages, poor mobile connectivity, and government censorship.