Once again, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel sidestepped self-criticism regarding the ongoing energy crisis plaguing Cuba. He attributed the power outages to a rise in electricity consumption, asserting that the government's strategies have been "correct," despite their lack of visible impact due to external factors.
In a recent episode of his podcast "Desde La Presidencia," Díaz-Canel defended state investments in photovoltaic panels and the recovery of distributed generation. He claimed these strategies have yielded concrete results, although their effects remain unseen by the public due to fuel shortages.
The Cuban president emphasized the success of the solar panel investment plan, highlighting that photovoltaic generation has increased from 107 to 1,437 megawatt-hours since March, with expectations to exceed 2,500 megawatt-hours daily by July. However, he admitted this progress has not resulted in tangible improvements for the population because the energy has been used to cover deficits caused by fuel shortages.
"The strategy is the right one, and we will continue it," he declared, adding that what has been generated by the solar farms has been "compensating" for what couldn't be produced through other means.
The State of Distributed Generation and Electric Plants
Díaz-Canel also defended the recovery of distributed generation, claiming over 1,000 megawatts have been rehabilitated, though only 300 have been utilized due to, once again, fuel scarcity. "If we had 700 megawatts incorporated, the deficit would decrease significantly," he stated, suggesting the infrastructure is ready, but the supply is not.
The Cuban leader denied failures in maintaining the thermoelectric plants. He mentioned there are currently "two fewer plants out of service" compared to a few months ago and anticipated several units could rejoin by summer, including plants 2 and 3 of Santa Cruz, unit 4 of Cienfuegos, and unit 5 of Renté. He noted only Felton and Felton 2 would remain offline, without providing a precise timeline or explaining why this situation wasn't foreseen.
Public Reaction and Unresolved Issues
Despite the official rhetoric, the reality faced by citizens contrasts sharply. Power outages exceeding 10 hours continue to affect numerous provinces, worsening living conditions amid a sweltering summer, food shortages, and issues with basic services like potable water.
Rather than addressing management failures, Díaz-Canel partly blamed high levels of electricity consumption. He reported a midday demand peak of 3,000 megawatts, labeling it "unusual" and "spiked" for Cuba.
"We must work on reducing the high levels of demand during both day and night," he said, referring to the excessive electricity usage by the population. While acknowledging the effects of heat and drought, he emphasized the need for "awareness" about consumption.
Such statements have fueled public discontent, as they place the burden on the weakest link for a crisis largely stemming from structural issues within Cuba's energy system and inefficient, centralized state management.
Protests and Government Response
The leader's comments come amidst a climate where the public continues to express frustration, as seen in the Santa Rita Popular Council in Jiguaní, Granma province, which witnessed a vigorous protest on Wednesday.
Activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia shared videos of residents protesting in the streets against the blackouts, water scarcity, and daily hardships. "They cut the internet, but they are in the streets!" Salcedo wrote, referring to the regime's attempts to silence demonstrations.
The official response has been to criminalize the protests. Instead of listening to the populace, Díaz-Canel labeled the demonstrators as "antisocial" and "criminals," comparing the current unrest to the Maleconazo of 1994 and alleging "external manipulation" behind the mobilizations. His rhetoric, far from calming tensions, highlights a growing disconnect between political power and society.
The protests in Santa Rita are not isolated incidents. This week, demonstrations have been reported at universities in Guantánamo and Cienfuegos, as well as in Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo. Students, workers, and entire communities have taken to the streets to decry the lack of electricity, food, and basic resources, showcasing widespread frustration with the collapse of the national electro-energy system.
In Santa Rita, local officials attempted to appease the population by claiming there are water supply trucks available but unable to operate due to fuel shortages. This explanation only confirmed the paralysis and disorganization affecting all state levels.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Public Dissent
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The Cuban government attributes the power outages to increased electricity consumption and external factors affecting fuel supplies. However, critics point to structural issues within the energy system and inefficient state management.
How has the Cuban government responded to public protests?
The government has largely criminalized the protests, labeling demonstrators as "antisocial" and "criminals." Official efforts have focused on blaming external manipulation rather than addressing the root causes of public discontent.
What measures has Díaz-Canel proposed to address the energy crisis?
Díaz-Canel has defended investments in photovoltaic panels and the recovery of distributed generation, claiming these strategies are correct despite their lack of visible impact due to fuel shortages.