2023-04-25 19:46:21
In view of the current energy crisis, Cuba’s government plans to hold the world’s largest May Day demonstration this year in a scaled-down form. “The difficult economic situation, in particular the restrictions on fuel supplies, has prompted us to change the original planning for the International Workers’ Day celebrations,” said General Secretary of the Confederation of Labor (CTC), Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, at a press conference on Tuesday.
Instead of the big demonstration on Revolution Square with up to 900,000 participants from all parts of Havana, there will be several small events in neighborhoods, companies and educational institutions over the course of this week. On the first of May itself there will be a smaller demonstration along the Malecón promenade, to which the residents of the neighboring communities of Habana Vieja, Centro, Playa, Plaza and Cerro will be mobilized. At the same time, local May Day rallies are taking place in the other municipalities of the capital, according to the CTC Secretary General.
Cuba’s government announced fuel rationing on Tuesday. Sales at gas stations were rationed and public transport was cut back. Several universities have suspended face-to-face classes until next week. As Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy announced, the situation is expected to continue through May. Most recently, a large May Day rally took place in Cuba last year, after the state-organized rallies in 2020 and 2021 were replaced by a virtual program due to the corona pandemic.
1682494046
#Cuba #plans #Day #rally #slimmed #form