The recent report by CiberCuba about the government's failure to uphold its pledge of restricting power outages to four hours a day during the summer of 2025 has unleashed a torrent of reactions on Facebook. These responses go beyond mere comments, painting a stark picture of societal frustration after decades of unmet promises and a persistent energy crisis.
Back in May, Argelio Jesús Abad Vigoa, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, assured that power cuts would not exceed four hours. However, Cubans are enduring up to 20 hours without electricity, resorting to cooking with wood or charcoal, losing food supplies, and spending sleepless nights outdoors to escape the heat. The gap between the official propaganda and the people's actual experiences became evident in the comments section.
Contrasting Official Optimism with Public Outrage
The controversy was sparked by a comment from a user named Félix José Pérez, who supported the regime's typical narrative, claiming, "We continue and will continue to move forward... long live the obtimists (sic)." Rather than receiving support, his message was met with criticism, ridicule, and spelling corrections. A user retorted, "Being an optimist is one thing, and being a fool is another," setting the tone for the debate.
Others took the opportunity to mock the official stance: "It's spelled optimist with a 'P,' which is why we're in this mess," quipped one internet user. "You're like Cuba's thermoelectric plants: your ideas don't sync with reality," replied another. Responses ranged from indignation to sarcasm and pain. "This is a country that has nothing for its people, neither electricity nor medicine... we're getting worse every day," wrote a woman comparing the situation to Haiti's. Another user was more blunt: "This isn't optimism; it's fanaticism. The worst part is that they still try to deceive others."
The Voice of Accumulated Frustration
Beyond the mockery, many comments candidly expressed the deterioration of everyday life. "I'm 56 years old, never thought about emigrating, but this is a hell that kills us day by day," confessed a Cuban woman who had never spoken out politically. "What triumph are you talking about? I've been waiting 65 years, and things keep getting worse," wrote another.
The most frequent complaints revolved around the lack of dignity, the collapse of basic services, and the inequality between the elite and the ordinary citizens: "They have air conditioning and lavish lunches, while the people die of heat and hunger."
Some pointed directly to the root of the issue: "Where are the 18 billion from GAESA? With a fraction of that money, the electrical crisis could be solved."
From Insults and Sarcasm to Serious Proposals
The flood of reactions also included direct attacks on those defending the regime. "Memories of a starved snitch without water and light," wrote one user against the official supporter. Another sarcastically asked, "How many megabytes did they give you for that comment?"
There were also more reflective messages: "This model has no solution. We need to change everything, encourage private property, and reduce bureaucracy. The status quo offers no way out," opined a reader. Some even summarized the general sentiment with blunt phrases: "More than an electrical failure, it's a political blackout."
Unyielding Indignation
The thread of comments demonstrates that Cubans are not only tired of physical blackouts but also what they perceive as a moral and political blackout. "This isn't life; it's abuse. There's no shame or respect," one user wrote. "The people support the government, not the other way around," another concluded.
While the regime insists that the blackouts are "temporary" and asks for understanding, social media has become a space for catharsis and criticism. Many conclude that this is not a technical crisis but a sign of an exhausted model: "Communism doesn't work, it never has, and the Cuban people are paying for it with hunger, darkness, and despair."
The promise of "four-hour blackouts" has joined a long list of official deceptions fueling indignation. And with each comment, the certainty that Cuban patience is wearing thin becomes more evident.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Public Reactions
What led to the public outrage over Cuba's power outages?
The outrage stems from the government's failure to honor its pledge to limit power outages to four hours a day, leaving many Cubans enduring up to 20-hour blackouts. This has exacerbated societal frustrations over unmet promises and ongoing energy crises.
How did social media play a role in expressing discontent?
Social media platforms like Facebook became outlets for Cubans to voice their frustrations, share personal experiences, and critique the regime's handling of the energy crisis, revealing a stark contrast between official narratives and lived realities.
What are some commonly expressed sentiments regarding the energy crisis?
Common sentiments include frustration over the lack of basic services, inequality between the elite and ordinary citizens, and a call for systemic change, reflecting a deeper disillusionment with the current political model.