In what seemed like a scene from a family postcard, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, former spy and current national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), shared how his family navigates blackouts at home: with games, sneaky candy, and a touch of mischievous affection. This anecdote was part of an interview he gave this Sunday on state television in honor of Father's Day.
"Sometimes when the power goes out, dad lets us sneak some candy from a room," one of his children laughed while recounting. "That's the 'blackout mouse,'" Gerardo explained. Although seemingly innocent, this story subtly trivializes one of the most severe crises the country faces: the chronic lack of electricity that affects millions of Cubans daily.
While the CDR leader's family deals with blackouts using cookies, humor, and a break from the rules, most Cuban families confront these dark hours with genuine distress: spoiled food, children unable to sleep due to the heat, people unable to cook, and elders who can't move safely.
The Reality of Blackouts in Cuba
Blackouts in Cuba are not merely brief interruptions; they are a daily manifestation of the national electrical system's collapse, which has left the country in a critical state for over two years. Citizens constantly report unpredictable schedules, areas suffering more than 10 hours without power, generators out of service, and the government’s unfulfilled promises.
Who can afford to make a game out of daily power cuts? It's significant that someone who speaks so lightly of blackouts is the leader of an organization, the CDR, historically tied to neighborhood control and defending the political system that has led the island to its current energy collapse.
Disconnect Between Leaders and the People
Instead of acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the official narrative tends to normalize or romanticize the suffering, wrapping it in familial rhetoric, humor, or heroic resistance. "When the lights go out, mom says no, but dad lets us sneak in and get candy," adds the child, unaware that while some kids learn to laugh in the dark, others don't have food, can't study, or sleep.
Electricity in Cuba represents a fracture line between the connected elite and the powerless populace. The scene meant to depict familial closeness and sensitivity inadvertently reveals a significant disconnect with the national reality. The "blackout mouse" becomes an involuntary symbol of an elite that can turn crisis into a tale, while millions of Cubans endure it as a daily tragedy.
The television appearance also touched on other topics like assisted reproduction, the desire to build a family after years of political separation, and the artistic and educational development of Hernández Nordelo's children.
Understanding the Cuban Energy Crisis
Why are blackouts a significant issue in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba are a major issue because they reflect the collapse of the national electrical system, affecting daily life by spoiling food, disrupting sleep, and impeding essential activities like cooking and studying.
How does the government respond to the blackout crisis?
The government's response tends to downplay the seriousness of the blackout crisis, often normalizing or romanticizing it instead of addressing the root causes and providing solutions.
What is the public's perception of blackouts in Cuba?
Many Cubans view blackouts as a daily hardship that highlights the inefficiencies of the government's policies and the stark divide between the ruling elite and the general populace.