Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Matanzas, delivered a triumphant speech celebrating the province's recognition as "Outstanding" by the Central Committee in the competition marking the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada Barracks assault.
The reaction on social media was swift and scathing. Hundreds of Cubans expressed their outrage and ridicule, dismissing the announcement as propaganda that is out of touch with reality.
The video shared by Periódico Girón on Facebook quickly garnered over 500 comments, most of which were either sarcastic or openly critical of the official and the accolade.
Claims vs. Reality in Matanzas
In his speech, lasting over eight minutes, Sabines Lorenzo listed what he claimed were the achievements that earned Matanzas the award: meeting planting targets, surplus income, the installation of 98 megawatts in solar photovoltaic parks, and the restoration of Internet connectivity.
He also highlighted political support for the "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign and participation in the "anti-imperialist tribune" defending Raúl Castro as noteworthy accomplishments.
However, amid his celebratory remarks, Sabines Lorenzo acknowledged a grim reality his words could not conceal: "Even though the blackouts are very long and the population experiences many outages, sometimes adding up to 50, 60 hours in some circuits within our province."
Public Outcry and Sarcasm
This admission was enough to unleash a torrent of commentary online. "Outstanding Matanzas, in blackouts! In that, they truly take first place," commented one user.
Another was more blunt: "They have no shame; I simply don't understand how they can watch the news when Matanzas should be renamed Apagonia."
The sarcasm extended further. One comment noted that Matanzas also leads in arboviral diseases: "Surely they considered the high average infection rate for dengue and chikungunya... we also took first place in the country for that."
Summing up the general sentiment, one person asked, "Outstanding? In what? Blackouts, garbage, diseases. I don't understand anything; poor other provinces."
Disconnect Between Official Narrative and Reality
Some claimed the announcement was a joke, while others labeled it demagogic triumphalism. "They're great at talking nonsense," remarked a user.
"Let imperialism tremble because here, what we have in abundance is triumphalist inspiration," noted another.
"The ridiculous part isn't the recognition, but how seriously they believe it," stated a third.
The gap between the government's narrative and the actual situation is vast. In April, Matanzas was Cuba's most affected province by power outages, with 174 megawatts subjected to blackouts during the evening peak.
Residents in circuit 1456 experienced 85 hours without electricity on June 9, setting a historical record.
Furthermore, over 300,000 inhabitants are dealing with water supply shortages, and the province became the national epicenter for the dengue and chikungunya outbreak that began in Perico in July 2025.
Sabines Lorenzo also admitted that 18 companies in the province are operating at a loss, and the fulfillment of export and foreign currency earning plans was "very insufficient." Nonetheless, he concluded his speech with cheers: "Long live the Cuban revolution! Long live the Matanzas people, worthy of this status! Fidel, Raúl, and Díaz-Canel! Until victory! Always!"
Similar patterns emerged in Villa Clara, where Susely Morfa González celebrated an identical recognition for her territory, also amidst Cuban ridicule on social networks.
The main event for July 26 will take place in Pinar del Río, while Matanzas receives its "outstanding" diploma amid blackouts that, as admitted by its own PCC secretary, can last more than two consecutive days.
Key Questions About Matanzas' "Outstanding" Status
What achievements were cited for Matanzas' recognition?
The achievements included meeting planting targets, surplus income, installing 98 megawatts in solar parks, and restoring Internet connectivity.
How did the public react to the announcement?
The public reacted with indignation and sarcasm, criticizing the recognition as disconnected from the harsh realities faced by the province.
What is the current situation in Matanzas regarding power outages?
Matanzas has been severely affected by power outages, with residents experiencing long blackouts, sometimes totaling over 50 hours in certain circuits.