As the province of Matanzas grapples with nearly dozens of damaged transformers, power outages extending beyond 30 hours, widespread unsanitary conditions, and a crumbling historical heritage overtaken by dampness and invasive vegetation, the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC) is eagerly organizing municipal parades for May 1st. Despite the prevailing hardships, the celebrations promise to be "different" but carried out with "the same enthusiasm."
This week, the official Communist Party newspaper in the region, Periódico Girón, reported that the CTC leaders announced plenary sessions, voluntary work initiatives, meetings with "heroes of labor," and the awarding of honors in the three weeks leading up to the event. The provincial slogan is "For Cuba, Together We Create," aligned with the national motto: "The Homeland is Defended."
Osmar Ramírez Ramírez, the secretary of the CTC in Matanzas, confirmed that parades will occur in all 13 municipalities of the province. He stated that "this is not just an invitation for workers, but for all families and the people of Matanzas," although he acknowledged that the celebration will be "different from previous years, given the current national circumstances, but with the same fervor."
The Challenging Context
The "current context" mentioned in passing by the official includes the breakdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant — the country's main power facility located in Matanzas. This failure on April 6 contributed to one of the three nationwide total electrical collapses in Cuba so far in 2026, the longest lasting for 29 hours and 29 minutes.
This year's event is dedicated to the Centenary of Fidel Castro, the 65th Anniversary of the Victory at Playa Girón, and the XXII Congress of the CTC. The first parade block in the western province will feature the Health Union, led by the Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital, honoring healthcare professionals earning the equivalent of about ten dollars a month.
A Paradox of Celebration
Ariannis Rodríguez Hernández, a member of the CTC secretariat, highlighted that "nearly 50 labor collectives have been national vanguards" in the province, with the Tourism, Construction, and Culture unions being the most notable — sectors all experiencing significant decline.
The official propaganda also boasts Matanzas achieving "Outstanding" status in the national competition for the third consecutive year. However, it fails to mention that Matanzas workers earn an average salary of less than 7,000 pesos per month in a country where the minimum cost of living surpasses 50,000 pesos — over seven times that salary. Meanwhile, chicken is sold for thousands of pesos, and gasoline prices are astronomical.
In February, provincial authorities ordered a reduction in workplace attendance and promoted telework to conserve fuel, as workers struggled to arrive on time due to public transportation failures. Banks were without electricity for four days, resulting in endless lines.
Crumbling Heritage Amidst Official Celebrations
The Grand Hotel Balneario San Miguel de los Baños, a National Monument since 2001, displays walls marred by dampness, crumbling stucco, and invasive vegetation after decades of neglect. The Sauto Theater and the Versalles railway bridge complete the picture of a city falling apart.
This month, the UN recognized that millions of Cubans in over 60 municipalities across various provinces require urgent humanitarian assistance. Despite this, the CTC urges workers to solve the country's deficiencies themselves. The parades, which in 2025 reportedly mobilized 5.3 million people according to official figures — many walking more than ten kilometers due to fuel shortages — are widely criticized as "mandatory." Attendance is monitored, and those who do not participate face workplace repercussions. "They marched because that's what the authorities ordered," summarized Cuban women interviewed last year.
Periódico Girón concluded its article with an image that best captures the chasm between propaganda and reality: "This May 1st, though different from previous ones, the people of Matanzas will once again fill our city's streets and fill the sky with flags." When it comes to walking, they are right, because discussing fuel for buses is best avoided.
Key Questions on Matanzas' Situation
What are the main challenges currently facing Matanzas?
Matanzas is dealing with damaged transformers, lengthy power outages, unsanitary conditions, and deteriorating historical sites, all amid a backdrop of economic and infrastructural challenges.
How are the May 1st celebrations in Matanzas different this year?
Despite the ongoing crises, the celebrations will maintain their enthusiasm but will be different due to the current national circumstances, focusing on themes like the Centenary of Fidel Castro and the CTC Congress.
What economic difficulties are workers in Matanzas facing?
Workers in Matanzas earn an average salary of less than 7,000 pesos monthly, while the minimum cost of living is over 50,000 pesos. Essential goods like chicken and gasoline are sold at exorbitant prices.