Havana Residents Outraged by Increasing Blackouts: "We're Going to Break Down"

The frustration over power outages has intensified in Havana, where blackouts have become longer, more erratic, and increasingly frequent. The city's residents are struggling to preserve food, get a good night's sleep, or even study, all while enduring the sweltering heat with no signs of improvement.

This outrage is clearly visible in the comments on the official profile of the Havana Electric Company, which published reports claiming that certain areas were not affected by outages in the early hours of Wednesday. Many users vehemently refuted these claims: “That's a lie, there was indeed a blackout during that time. In my area, we were without power from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.,” one user stated. Another commented, “They're pulling our leg, saying there was no cut, yet my fridge is defrosted.”

The comments highlight a complete disconnect between what is announced and what is experienced: “You don't know what to believe anymore, the schedules change daily, and nobody provides a clear explanation,” said one resident. “They cut the power at 10:00 p.m., and by 2:30 a.m., the blackout was still ongoing,” another added. “This is a joke; we're going to break down here,” one frustrated resident exclaimed.

Several locals reported that some areas have been hit up to three times in a single day, without prior notice or technical explanation. “Block 2 has been without power since morning and now they’ve cut it again without it being in the schedule,” one person complained. “They restored the power, and ten minutes later, it was gone again. This is how appliances get damaged,” another warned.

In response to the criticism, the Havana Electric Company explained that the capital's system comprises 285 circuits, with 112 affected, divided into five blocks. “The rest remain in service as they stabilize the National Electric System (SEN) or supply power to crucial centers like hospitals, water supply sources, or areas that cannot endure prolonged interruptions,” the company stated.

The growing discontent in the capital follows the implementation of a new blackout schedule this week that doubles the usual duration of power cuts. According to the new plan shared on social media, blackouts can now last up to eight hours daily, including overnight periods, representing a setback compared to previous weeks when cuts did not exceed four hours per block and ended by midnight.

Reports from the Electric Union indicate that the conditions of the National Electric System have worsened. On July 2, the night peak saw a maximum impact of 1,672 MW, and it was estimated that throughout the day, the deficit could surpass 1,500 MW. On that day, the electric service was disrupted for 24 hours, including the early hours of Wednesday.

Beyond Havana, other provinces are experiencing blackouts lasting more than a full day. Residents in Camagüey, Bayamo, Cienfuegos, and Villa Clara have reported outages ranging from 24 to 40 consecutive hours, directly impacting health, rest, and food preparation.

While official explanations cite technical reasons such as fuel shortages, plant maintenance, and transformer failures, the perception on the streets is different: the situation is deteriorating, and blackouts have become an inseparable part of daily life.

Electricity, crucial for daily living, has emerged as one of the most critical points of the country's economic decline. Although authorities claim that power cuts are conducted equitably and urge citizens to follow “official channels,” more people are questioning the management of the crisis and the lack of short-term solutions.