An unexpected slip by a Cuban official on the Isle of Youth highlighted the linguistic distortions employed by regime representatives to avoid calling things as they are. "The blackouts continue, that is, the customer impact, excuse me..." stammered Engineer Ignacio Moya, head of the dispatch unit of the Electric Union in the special municipality, during a broadcast on the local telecenter's YouTube channel.
While delivering his daily report on the region's electrical situation, the official inadvertently used the forbidden word that names the harsh reality faced by the Cuban people daily: blackouts. The escalating power crisis on the Isle of Youth has sparked an unprecedented citizen movement, with grievances extending far beyond the frequent power cuts.
Recently, social media users have circulated messages advocating for the independence of this Cuban territory, calling for a republic free from the central government's control in Havana. Historically, the Isle had managed to sustain a stable energy supply thanks to its independent generation system. However, since early June, residents have been experiencing outages lasting up to five hours daily, with no discernible pattern or solutions in sight.
Local testimonies suggest that the situation began to deteriorate when "two generators were taken to Havana," according to circulating rumors. Since then, public discontent has only grown. Around the same time, several signs with messages against the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and the Cuban communist system appeared in Santa Fe, Isle of Youth, marking an unusual event in the area.
The graffiti, spotted on visible structures at the "Florecita de Azahar" nursery and on a bus stop in front of the educational institution, as reported and photographed by CiberCuba, included phrases like "Díaz-Canel singao," "Down with communism," "Homeland and Life," and "Freedom." These slogans resonate with the social unrest that gained momentum following the popular uprising on July 11, 2021 (11J).
Understanding the Energy Crisis on the Isle of Youth
What triggered the recent power outages on the Isle of Youth?
The outages began worsening when two generators were reportedly moved to Havana, causing severe disruptions for residents.
How are the residents reacting to the energy crisis?
Residents have expressed their discontent through social media, demanding independence from the central government and calling for a separate republic.
What were some of the slogans used in the graffiti in Santa Fe?
The graffiti included slogans such as "Díaz-Canel singao," "Down with communism," "Homeland and Life," and "Freedom."