Cuba’s May Day parade, also known as the International Workers’ Day parade, was canceled on Monday due to fuel shortages, breaking a long-standing tradition.
In most cases, buses would transport hundreds of thousands of people from the entire communist-ruled island nation to Revolution Square.
Havana’s main square will not host any official celebrations this year, so it won’t be crowded with red-clad, flag-waving Cuban Revolution and socialist supporters.
This is the first time the parade has been postponed for economic reasons. Covid concerns caused its suspension during the pandemic.
Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel has said the nation is just getting 66% of its fuel needs met and that providers are missing the mark on authoritative commitments. The nation receives only 400 tons, despite its daily consumption of up to 500 or 600 tons.
Among other trials, this has resulted in long gas lines, remote university classes, and expensive cooking oil. Low-grade cooking oil is reachable, yet Cuba doesn’t have the offices to refine it. In recent years, Venezuela’s imports of crude of higher quality have decreased by 50%.
The first year that International Workers’ Day was established was in 1889. That was changed to Labor Day five years later because Grover Cleveland, the president of the United States at the time, wanted to separate the holiday from its socialist origins. It is still celebrated the first weekend in September in the United States and Canada today.
Local celebrations may continue on Monday in Cuba.