In a display of opportunism and cynicism, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and former spy among the so-called "Five Heroes," seized the recent power outage in Spain and Portugal to unleash his usual propaganda rhetoric. Rather than expressing solidarity or empathy, Hernández Nordelo branded Europe as a "failed continent," suggesting that critics of Cuba should apply this term to European nations as well, given their posts with the hashtag #CubaFailedState regarding the energy and structural crisis caused by 63 years of communist totalitarianism.
Furthermore, the head of the neighborhood watch and expert in the regime's tearful narrative couldn't miss the opportunity to highlight in his Facebook post that Europe is not subjected to blockades or economic sabotage, once again attempting to blame the U.S. embargo on Cuba for all its misfortunes. This comparison is particularly hypocritical, considering that while Europe faced an exceptional and temporary blackout, Cuba endures prolonged daily power cuts that regularly affect the majority of its population.
The response from European authorities was swift: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez assured that necessary measures would be taken to prevent such a massive blackout from happening again and that there would be accountability demanded from private operators of the electrical system. In stark contrast, in Cuba, blackouts are a constant occurrence, and authorities often attribute them to the U.S. embargo, avoiding responsibility for the lack of investment and maintenance in the national electrical system.
Propaganda vs. Reality
The official narrative, echoed by figures like Tere Felipe—who ranks lower in influence compared to Hernández Nordelo—insists that external factors are solely to blame, ignoring internal deficiencies and mismanagement that have led to the island's energy collapse. The reaction of Hernández Nordelo and other regime propagandists to the European blackout not only shows a lack of empathy but also attempts to divert attention from Cuba's internal problems, using any international event as an excuse to reinforce their anti-imperialist rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Cubans continue to endure prolonged power outages and an unprecedented energy crisis, with no signs of a short-term solution. The exploitation of an unfortunate event in Europe to justify Cuba's systemic failures reflects a propagandistic strategy aimed at perpetuating a victimhood narrative, rather than addressing the true causes of the issues affecting the Cuban population.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What did Gerardo Hernández Nordelo say about Europe's blackout?
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo referred to Europe as a "failed continent" following the blackout in Spain and Portugal, suggesting critics should use this term for European nations as well.
How did European authorities respond to the blackout?
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that necessary measures would be implemented to prevent a recurrence, and accountability would be sought from private electrical system operators.
How do Cuban authorities typically explain their own blackouts?
Cuban authorities often blame the U.S. embargo for the frequent blackouts, avoiding accountability for the lack of investment and maintenance in the electrical system.