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Cuban Voices on Power Outages: "Independence for Five Hours Without Electricity? We Demand Freedom from Oppression!"

Thursday, June 19, 2025 by Matthew Diaz

Cuban Voices on Power Outages: "Independence for Five Hours Without Electricity? We Demand Freedom from Oppression!"
New Gerona - Image by © Facebook / Isla de la Juventud - Cuba

The symbolic call for the independence of the Isle of Youth, prompted by daily power outages lasting up to five hours, has sparked a flood of reactions on social media ranging from sarcasm to solidarity, anger, and resignation. CiberCuba's coverage of this unusual proposal unleashed a torrent of comments that, beyond the anecdote, reflect the widespread frustration among Cubans over the collapse of the national power grid.

“Independence for five hours without power? I've endured 20! I demand freedom from oppression!” wrote one user, encapsulating in a mocking tone the sentiment shared by many other provinces experiencing even longer blackouts. This phrase went viral, spawning memes and quips: “If the Isle declares independence after five hours, Guantánamo should become a sovereign republic immediately!” noted one of the over 1,000 comments posted on Facebook in less than a day.

From Outrage to Dark Humor

While the notion of the Isle of Youth's independence might seem far-fetched, for many Cubans, it became an emotional outlet. “If that's what it takes to be heard, then let's all demand independence for our provinces too,” jested a commentator from Villa Clara. Another, from Cienfuegos, remarked: “We’ve been without power and water for 24 hours. Can we apply for annexation to Norway?”

The dark humor was rampant. Some jokingly suggested merging with Jamaica or the United States, while others proposed: “Let the communists keep the Isle of Youth, and the rest of the country should break away from them.” Amidst the sarcasm, more elaborate ideas sprouted. Some envisioned a “Democratic Republic of the Isle of Pines,” complete with free trade, foreign relations, and its own currency. “There’d be lines just to get in!” one user quipped, while another joked, “Where do I get my Isle passport?”

A National Catharsis

It's evident that the article ignited a spark that momentarily illuminated the daily despair of millions. The comments section transformed into a national catharsis, where testimonies from Sagua, Pinar del Río, Holguín, Santiago, Ciego, Matanzas, and more converged. “We’ve been without electricity for 22 hours here in Palmira,” reported a resident of Cienfuegos. Another added: “In Caibarién, we have ‘power-ups,’ not blackouts, because the electricity comes for an hour and then is gone for 23.”

The most common grievance was the lack of logic and fairness in the outage schedules: “There's no plan or notice here; they cut the power whenever, in the middle of the night, at noon, whenever they want.” Yet, some pointedly criticized the people's apparent passivity: “On May 1st, everyone marches, and now they complain. This happens because we keep applauding those responsible.”

Several users emphasized that the only viable solution isn't provincial independence but liberation from the political system: “What needs to be abolished is the regime keeping us in poverty.”

"Laughing to Keep from Crying"

Despite the anger, many comments adopted a mocking tone. “Visa for the independent Isle? Do we need to queue at the Isle's consulate?” said one. “I'm already packing to move there,” wrote a woman from Artemisa. Some even joked about a new Castro dynasty dictator: “Make Sandro president of the new republic for practice.”

With biting irony, others pointed to the authorities' double standards. “The blackouts aren't for everyone. The officials' homes have generators. That’s why they ask us to endure, because they don't know what it's like to be in the dark with heat and mosquitoes,” wrote an indignant user.

A recurring point was the contrast with Varadero and some privileged areas of Havana, where outages are minimal or nonexistent. “Here, the power's out for 20 hours, in Varadero only 2. Who decides this and why?” queried a commenter from Matanzas. Similar testimonies came from Sancti Spíritus, Baracoa, Las Tunas, and Ciego de Ávila.

What's Left in the End?

What began as a curious news story ended up unveiling a shared reality across Cuba: a nation fractured by scarcity, lack of rights, and inequality. The call from the Isle of Youth, more than a concrete demand for secession, was a desperate plea for attention, a break from the silence.

“It's not about a republic; it's about being at our limit,” shared a young woman from Nueva Gerona. “We don’t sleep, we don’t cook, we don’t live.” Amidst this storm, one voice summed up the general sentiment: “If the Isle becomes an autonomy experiment and succeeds, who'd want to remain tied to this nightmare?”

Meanwhile, millions of Cubans continue to live in literal darkness. Without power, water, medicine, or answers. Each night, as the lights go out, the mosquitoes return, along with the heat... and the fury.

Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis

What is causing the power outages in Cuba?

The power outages in Cuba are due to the collapse of the national power grid, caused by a combination of technical failures, lack of maintenance, and insufficient resources.

How are Cubans reacting to the prolonged power outages?

Cubans are responding with a mix of sarcasm, humor, and frustration, using social media to express their discontent and to demand attention to the crisis.

What solutions are being proposed for the power crisis in Cuba?

Some propose regional independence or annexation to countries with better resources, while others argue for systemic political change to address the underlying issues causing the crisis.

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