The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) has firmly denied claims that it encouraged citizens to take to the streets in protest, following the circulation of a message on social media falsely attributed to the state-run company. The message referenced demonstrations in Nepal, where citizens recently voiced opposition to corruption and a social media ban.
This misleading post, originating from a parody account, mimicked the style of an official UNE statement. It humorously mentioned the ongoing investigation into the unexpected outage at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, which led to a nationwide blackout. The note sarcastically added, "Be careful about hitting the streets like the people of Nepal because the East Havana prison can't hold everyone."
Another satirical post from the same account included the mocking phrase, "You-know-who has fallen, so you know," indirectly referring to the collapse of the national electrical system. This parody quickly gained traction at a time when a widespread power outage was already heightening social tensions across the island.
In response, the electric company issued a statement cautioning the public about fake accounts spreading misleading information regarding the National Electric System. The UNE stressed that only its official channels should be trusted as reliable sources of information, labeling the parody posts as "false."
The very necessity of debunking such a parody highlights the regime's anxiety over the crisis potentially sparking increased public unrest, drawing parallels to Nepal's overthrow of a communist government.
This week's massive blackout, the fifth within a year, was triggered by a failure at the Antonio Guiteras plant in Matanzas, attributed to a "false signal in the automation" that forced a shutdown. This incident caused the complete collapse of the National Electric System (SEN), affecting the entire nation.
In the aftermath, the regime announced the implementation of "microsystems," small independent electrical circuits designed to keep essential facilities like hospitals and water distribution centers operational during widespread outages. However, those in Havana malfunctioned shortly after activation, plunging the capital's residents back into darkness.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Crisis
What led to the recent nationwide blackout in Cuba?
The recent blackout was caused by a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas, due to a "false signal in the automation," which necessitated shutting down operations.
How did the parody account's messages impact Cuban society?
The parody account's messages, which falsely claimed UNE encouraged protests, quickly spread across social media, intensifying public tensions amid an ongoing power crisis.
What are "microsystems" in the context of Cuba's electrical system?
Microsystems are small independent electrical circuits intended to maintain the operation of critical facilities like hospitals during national power outages, although those in Havana have recently failed.