From Friday to Sunday, the city of Guantánamo will host its traditional San Joaquín Festivities 2026. However, this year's events will feature a trimmed-down program that officials acknowledge is "adjusted to the current realities of the area," directly referencing the ongoing energy crisis and shortages plaguing the province.
The celebrations will be concentrated in three main areas: the Pedro A. Pérez multifunctional plaza, and the plazas 28 de Septiembre (Sur-Hospital popular council) and Juventud (CP Caribe), according to the official newspaper Venceremos.
This year, usual celebration spots like Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Street have been excluded from the circuit.
The festivities will kick off tonight with performances by the orchestra Onda Cubana at the multifunctional plaza and Cándido Fabré at the 28 de Septiembre plaza, both starting at 10:00 pm.
On Saturday, a parade featuring children's groups will begin at 5:00 pm, followed by evening performances from Los Guasoneros, Sabor y Ritmo, and a second show by Fabré.
The festivities will conclude on Sunday with the much-anticipated parade of floats, dance troupes, and folk ensembles at 6:00 pm, with the closing act performed by the group Bryan Omega and El Menor, according to reports.
Authorities have also announced inspection teams to monitor prices and prevent price gouging at sales booths, where payments will be accepted in cash and via transfers.
"Despite the limitations and shortages that prevent a more extensive public celebration, there is a willingness and commitment from municipal authorities to carry out these festivities, which are part of our traditions at this time of year," emphasized Venceremos.
These scaled-back festivities, with over 140 years of history, unfold against the backdrop of an unprecedented energy collapse. Guantánamo relies on a single 110-kilovolt line from Santiago de Cuba for connection to the national grid, making it one of the most vulnerable provinces in the country. In June, a fault in this line left the entire province without electricity.
Earlier, in April, power cuts were so severe, with only 45 minutes to an hour of electricity daily, that residents staged pot-banging protests in the streets.
Instead of resolving the situation, the provincial Communist Party recently demanded a reduction in citizen complaints, which exceeded 150 daily grievances about the electric service.
As temporary solutions, the government has set up over 60 audiovisual viewing centers in public squares and, earlier this month, announced the construction of more than 15 community solar charging stations, with an investment of 25 million pesos.
Understanding Guantánamo's San Joaquín Festivities Amid Challenges
What adjustments have been made to the San Joaquín Festivities?
The festivities have been scaled down, with events concentrated in select areas to adapt to the current energy and resource shortages in the province.
How is the energy crisis affecting Guantánamo?
Guantánamo is severely impacted by energy shortages due to its reliance on a single power line from Santiago de Cuba, making it susceptible to outages.
What measures has the government implemented to address these challenges?
The government has introduced over 60 audiovisual centers in public squares and is constructing more than 15 solar charging stations to mitigate the energy crisis.