“When a people, as small as ours, takes on a task like the one our people took on, they must always know what to do,” said Fidel Castro on the Plaza de la Revolución, on May 1, 1960. He was a victorious rebel, the Cuban people had expelled the dictator and a year and a half had begun his new adventure in history.
63 years later, those people, or rather their one-party ruling regime, decided that the “right thing” to do was to cancel the historic Labor Day celebration. Because it rains too much, but mostly because there is no gas, among the many other basic necessities that are lacking on the island.
The Cuban authorities announced on Sunday the postponement of the May 1 ceremonies due to the bad weather and the lack of fuel. “Due to the meteorological instability that caused heavy rains in various territories and due to the forecasts for the next few hours, it was decided to postpone the International Workers’ Day activities throughout the country”, writes the official newspaper Granma. Everything moved to Friday, May 5, “which will be declared a public holiday.” But it won’t be a party, as usual.
In the midst of the worst economic crisis in the last 30 years, the government in Havana admits that it will not be able to bring its supporters to the streets. And not only. The crisis has forced the suspension of classes at several universities and also the much-loved baseball games.
The general secretary of the Workers’ Union of Cuba (CTC), Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, confirmed “that the decision to reformulate the activities for the celebration of May Day is due to the complex economic situation of the country and especially the limitations in the supply of fuel. In this way, the commemoration is maintained under conditions of rationalization and austerity”.
In Havana, the “march” on the Plaza de la Revolution esplanade will be replaced by a parade along the Malecón, the capital’s waterfront. The situation is dramatic, with long queues at gas stations. Only diplomats have priority in queues. They can be recognized by the plate with the letter “D” for diplomat or “E” for embassy. Those who have a tourist car with the letter “T” must arm themselves with patience like ordinary citizens.
And gasoline is not the only good that Cuba lacks. It’s hard to find some medicine.
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