Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, accompanied by his wife, Les Cuesta Serra, went down Havana’s famous seaside avenue to “reaffirm his popularity.” Former President Raul Castro also participated in the gathering.
Cuba organized Friday Labor Day celebrations, but did not witness the usual mobilization, after it was postponed due to bad weather in the context of an acute fuel shortage that forced the island’s communist authorities to keep activities limited.
Usually tens of thousands of Cubans descend on buses from all over the city to gather in the symbolic Revolution Square in the heart of the capital before they start the march.
But this year, downtown residents were asked to walk to Malecon Park to congregate there, while activities were organized in other neighborhoods.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, accompanied by his wife, Les Cuesta Serra, went down Havana’s famous seaside avenue to “reaffirm his popularity.” Former President Raul Castro also participated in the gathering.
“This change of venue is in line with the current restrictions on fuel supplies,” said Ulises Gilarte de Nascimento, Secretary General of the Central Workers of Cuba, during the demonstration.
The island is witnessing the worst economic crisis in 30 years, due to the intersection of the impact of several factors such as the pandemic, the tightening of US sanctions, and internal structural weaknesses.
This crisis has caused frequent shortages of food, medicine and fuel, in addition to accelerating inflation. Since the end of March, fuel shortages have worsened, with direct consequences for the country’s economic and social life.
