Ulises Toirac Voices Frustration Over Havana Blackouts: "I Can't Sleep"

The widespread frustration over the persistent power outages in Cuba is now affecting everyone, regardless of their background or public status. Beloved comedian Ulises Toirac recently took to social media to express his exasperation at the dire electricity situation in Havana, where residents are experiencing power cuts lasting up to 19 hours a day.

"Last night was absolutely unbearable," Toirac lamented in a video shared on his Facebook profile. "I'm waking up so late because... I just can't sleep, man, I can't. When the power goes out, it's like getting slapped in the face. Mosquitoes, no fan, unbearable heat... Good morning!" he exclaimed, visibly upset while walking on the street.

Ongoing Criticism of Cuba's Energy Crisis

This is not the first time the artist has spoken out about the energy crisis and its impact on the Cuban population. "The current scenario: it's no longer 20-hour blackouts in the provinces... It's 30 and even more (for just two hours of electricity) because there's no functioning electrical system and no funds to meet demand. Money can only be generated through production, not 'hunting,' but we can't produce because... there's no power!" he stated previously.

Toirac has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Cuban government. His outspoken posts targeting the inefficiency of the authorities even led to him being summoned by the State Security in June. "It seems they don't like what I'm saying," he sarcastically remarked at the time.

Havana Sinks Further into Darkness

On Thursday, the average power outage in the capital lasted up to 19 hours, as confirmed by the Havana Electric Company. At 11:50 PM, the maximum impact reached 87 MW, and although the supply was partially restored by early Friday, the cuts remain more prolonged and frequent than announced.

In late June, the electric company released a new blackout schedule, confirming the worsening energy crisis. According to the official plan shared on social media, power outages would now extend to eight hours daily, including overnight periods, severely impacting everyday life in Havana. Despite the official schedule predicting eight-hour blocks, the actual outages have often exceeded this limit, sometimes tripling it.

Public Outcry and Social Media Eruptions

Outrage among the public is spilling over onto the electric company's official social media pages. "In my area, we were without power from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM," one user wrote, challenging the alleged restoration of service. "They're pulling our leg, saying there were no cuts while our fridge defrosts," added another.

Residents from various neighborhoods report experiencing power cuts up to three times in a single day, at unscheduled hours and without any technical explanation. "They turned the power on, and ten minutes later, it went off again. That's how appliances get damaged," warned a resident from Centro Habana.

A Crisis Beyond Electricity

The blackouts in Cuba have escalated beyond a mere technical issue. With temperatures soaring above 95°F, water shortages, lack of medicines, and outbreaks of diseases such as dengue and Oropouche virus, the absence of electricity has become a direct threat to public health.

Experts warn that the inability to sleep at night has devastating effects on physical and mental health: chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, depression, and a weakened immune system. "My son cries all night because of the heat and mosquitoes, and the next day he goes to school exhausted," shares Laura, a mother of two in Old Havana.

Moreover, without electricity, preserving food becomes nearly impossible, refrigerated medications spoil, and mosquito breeding is exacerbated by stagnant water containers. The hardest hit are children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, whose survival often depends on continuous access to electricity.

Structural Crisis with No Immediate Solutions

Despite the ongoing reports of power outages, the authorities have yet to offer concrete structural solutions, and the same excuses—fuel shortages, pending maintenance, or "unexpected breakdowns"—are repeated endlessly.

Meanwhile, daily life in Cuba grinds to a halt: there's no power for cooking, studying, or working. Discontent is growing in every corner of the nation, while the government turns a blind eye or prioritizes sectors such as tourism instead of ensuring basic stability for its citizens.

Ulises Toirac's outcry is no joke, nor is it an exaggeration; it echoes the sentiment of millions. "I can't sleep," he declared, and alongside him, countless others voice the same frustration as their dignity dissolves with each night without a fan, each defrosted refrigerator, and each broken promise from the authorities.

Today in Cuba, darkness is the least of their problems.