This Wednesday, the Cuban government declared that representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Electric Union will appear on the televised program "Mesa Redonda" to shed light on the nation's current energy situation and the steps being taken toward recovery. Many Cubans have interpreted this announcement as an ominous message.
The program, according to its official website, will air at 7:00 p.m. on Cubavisión, Cubavisión Internacional, Radio Rebelde, and Radio Habana Cuba, along with social media channels of Ideas Multimedios. The state-run Canal Caribe shared a video on Facebook promoting the special edition focusing on the energy crisis, where electrical sector officials will speak.
Viewer reactions were swift in the comment sections, with many expressing frustration and skepticism. They anticipate another attempt by the regime to rationalize the blackouts without providing tangible solutions. Concerns are mounting over a potential collapse of the National Electric System, feared to be worse than previous instances. A notable comment by Gilberto Rivas sarcastically stated that viewers can expect a rerun of the "Mesa Redonda" from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Rivas critiqued the official narrative, expecting it to claim ongoing investments and repairs, with promises of reduced disruptions this summer, paired with rhetoric about transitioning the energy matrix for "greater sovereignty." He concluded that the broadcast would inevitably blame the U.S. embargo for all issues.
Public Skepticism and Demand for Change
Elsido Aguilar Hernández openly questioned the purpose of the program: "Why bother? We already know what they'll say—nothing new." Expressing widespread frustration, he labeled the discourse as repetitive and hollow: "In the end, things will remain the same or worsen. It's all lies; no one believes them anymore," he asserted, highlighting the public's loss of trust in the leaders. He concluded with a direct demand: "We need changes, immediately."
Jen Jim, another commenter, expressed outrage at the disconnect between official media and the reality faced by most Cubans: "It’s clear that you at the news channel never experience power outages. I don't see you sweating without air conditioning," she noted. She criticized "Mesa Redonda" for catering to "privileged Habaneros who always have power," questioning whether the program is even watched by those who endure the harshest blackouts, unlike Cubans in provinces who face hours without electricity daily.
Calls for Real Solutions Amidst Recurring Issues
Trance Seeker lamented the repetition of history without real solutions: "We've lived this story several times… what we need are solutions, not future promises," he wrote. He emphasized the need for the minister to explain the equitable distribution of the electrical deficit among provinces, citing data from Villa Clara's Electric Company, which reported 23 hours and 58 minutes of disruption—nearly a full day without power. Meanwhile, he pointed out, Havana hosts concerts and events advertised through Ticket.
"Some don't even have the means to cook what food they can find," he criticized, demanding concrete actions: "Explain that better... we're tired of hearing 'work is being done'... real solutions, otherwise don't even show up, because each time you do, things get worse."
What can be expected from the regime's promises?
Once again, the Cuban regime rolls out its familiar set of promises, with summer as the backdrop and the reality of electrical scarcity inescapable.
According to the official newspaper Granma, Wednesday's reiteration focused on reducing blackouts to an average of four hours per day per customer, thanks to a purported increase of 13 GWh in generation and stricter consumption control. However, this narrative continues to raise false hopes in a population that has heard the same words year after year without seeing tangible improvements.
Meanwhile, the real deficit exceeds 1,600 MW at night, and it is estimated that in July, only 1,120 MW of thermal generation will be available, far below the national demand, which surpasses 3,000 MW even in the early hours. The "gradual" strategy announced by the Ministry of Energy and Mines relies on repairs, postponed maintenance, promises of recovery for key units like Felton 2 and Mariel 7, and even advancements in solar energy that fall short of covering the thermal capacity lost since 2019.
Additionally, Granma itself blamed the population for transformer failures due to simultaneous appliance usage, while admitting that over 17 million electrical appliances have been imported to the island in the past six years, raising a demand the system cannot sustain.
With energy recovery projected until 2026, Cubans face another summer of blackouts, recycled promises, and an official narrative that increasingly fails to convince. … News in development …
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Public Reaction
What are the main causes of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to outdated infrastructure, insufficient generation capacity, and a heavy reliance on imported fuels. These issues are compounded by economic sanctions and inefficiencies within the state-run energy sector.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the energy crisis?
The Cuban population has expressed frustration, skepticism, and disbelief toward the government's handling of the energy crisis, often criticizing the lack of transparent and effective solutions and the repetitive nature of official statements.
What promises has the Cuban government made regarding energy recovery?
The Cuban government has promised to reduce blackouts by increasing generation capacity and controlling consumption, with plans to improve infrastructure and invest in renewable energy sources. However, these promises have yet to materialize into concrete improvements.