This capital city, which boasts the longest Carnival in the world, is hosting the second phase of the official competition for its most cherished popular festival at the Summer Theater.

At this open-air venue in Parque Rodo, murgas (street theater groups), comparsas (carnival troupes), revues, comedians, and parodists are performing.

Society criticism and current events are prominent, especially among the murgas, including messages of support for Cuba and rejection of the United States’ blockade against the island, particularly the cutoff of oil supplies.

One of the Carnival’s emblematic murgas expressed this sentiment on stage:

“The Diablos Verdes group wants to express its solidarity with the Cuban people in the face of the intensification of the economic blockade by the Donald Trump administration.”

“To prevent food, supplies, and medicine from entering a country is to condemn an ​​entire people. That is why we, the Devils, say: No to imperialism.”

It was a declaration made during their performance that was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The carnival delves deep into the heart of this city with the parade of comparsas (carnival troupes) along Flores Street and the stages erected in the neighborhoods, often by the residents themselves.

These nights, a document is being read at the Network of Popular Stages that states: “Cuba is suffering an energy blockade that is no longer a political debate; it is a direct attack on the most basic rights.”

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