The San Juan Camagüeyano 2026 festival kicked off on June 24 with bonfires, drums, and street parades in Camagüey, even as the city faced severe power outages. Meanwhile, Venezuela was reeling from two devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, which resulted in 1,430 confirmed deaths and over 54,000 missing just three days later.
This stark contrast ignited social media discussions. Cubans both on the island and abroad expressed outrage, labeling it shameful and inhumane for the government to continue the celebrations from June 24 to 29 while Camagüey remained in darkness and Venezuela, a long-time provider of oil and resources to Havana, began to mourn its dead.
Digital creator Irma Lidia Broek highlighted the disparity on her Facebook profile: "While families in La Guaira are sifting through rubble with bare hands, pleading for lime and formalin to give their lost ones a proper burial... in Camagüey, the bonfires blaze on and the drums never stop."
Comments on her post reflected a mix of shame, anger, and deeper analysis. "After years of indoctrination, it's going to be quite difficult to change the mindset of these people, without electricity, food, medicine, collapsed hospitals, repression, police abuse. This is Stockholm syndrome at its finest," one user remarked.
Another citizen questioned, "Venezuela, which donated so much money and oil to the Cuban regime, and instead of declaring a national mourning in support of the catastrophe's victims, they throw parties."
A third comment provided a more structural critique: "We are a society stripped of all moral values, indoctrinated and uneducated. Our empathy, joy, or sorrows have been conditioned for generations. We don't even have electricity for days, nor internet, nor basic services."
One user summarized the situation with a pointed question: "The world is ending, earthquakes happening, misery and poverty, endless blackouts, deaths, abuse but... in Camagüey, Carnivals since June 24, 2026, and to hell with it. Who understands them?"
The Energy Crisis Worsens
During these events, Cuba was experiencing its worst energy crisis in recent history. On June 25, a record power deficit of 2,208 MW was recorded. By Saturday, the Electric Union projected a night peak shortfall of 2,165 MW, with only 1,015 MW available against a demand of 3,150 MW.
Some areas in Matanzas endured up to 85 consecutive hours without electricity, while Havana faced daily blackouts lasting between 20 and 24 hours.
The government has a documented pattern of ensuring electricity for events while the populace endures extended power outages. In June, La Piragua in Havana hosted well-lit night parties while entire neighborhoods remained in darkness. In August 2025, Matanzas canceled its carnivals due to resource shortages, with the governor admitting there were no "material or logistical assurances."
At least 32 Cubans were reported missing in Venezuela after the earthquakes, concentrated in the state of La Guaira. The regime dispatched medical brigades but did not declare national mourning, and popular festivities continued in the Agramontine region until June 29.
Understanding Cuba's Current Challenges
What prompted the criticism of the San Juan Camagüeyano festival?
The festival was held amid severe power outages in Camagüey and following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, leading to public outrage over the government's decision to continue celebrations despite these crises.
How severe is Cuba's current energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented energy crisis, with a record deficit of 2,208 MW reported. Some regions have faced extended blackouts lasting up to 85 hours.