Most Cubans Believe the Regime Should Relinquish Power

A significant number of Cubans believe their government should step down due to its inability to address the ongoing electricity crisis, as revealed by a survey on CiberCuba's Facebook page. An overwhelming 83% of participants supported this notion, with nearly 6,000 individuals casting their votes. The poll asked what actions Cuban authorities should take in light of the ineffective electrical system, and the response was clear: 4,960 respondents opted for the transfer of power, highlighting the government's inability to resolve the crisis.

While some respondents suggested allowing private investments to modernize the National Electrical System (528 votes) or admitting failure and seeking international assistance (447 votes), the majority leaned towards a political overhaul. Notably, no one chose the option of continuing with patchwork solutions and justifications.

Despite not being a comprehensive representation of all Cubans, the survey reflects the sentiments of a significant segment of CiberCuba's social media followers. The electricity crisis in Cuba severely impacts daily life and the economy, explaining the fervent responses. Social media comments further illustrate the frustration, with users stating that "blackouts prove the country is in ruins" and jokingly asserting that "even with ten centuries of inventions, they can't fix what they destroyed in six decades."

Public Distrust and Calls for Change

Many participants expressed deep skepticism towards any official promises, emphasizing that the government "has lost all credibility," and that the electricity issue is merely the "tip of the iceberg" of a long-failed system. For a large portion of the population, the energy collapse symbolizes a broader crisis affecting all facets of daily life.

The digital debate underscored that the electrical problem is not seen as a temporary issue but rather the result of decades of neglect, poor management, and lack of investment. Users agree that makeshift solutions are no longer viable, and genuine progress requires a shift in power to facilitate the country's rebuilding.

Dire Social Conditions and Youth Discontent

The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) recently reported in its eighth report on social rights in Cuba that 92% of citizens disapprove of Havana's government, with only 5% expressing a favorable view. Disapproval is even higher among the youth, with just 3.39% of those aged 18 to 30 giving a positive assessment of the government's performance, highlighting a significant loss of confidence among younger generations.

The report pointed out that blackouts, food shortages, high living costs, low wages, and deteriorating public health are the main factors fueling public discontent. Meanwhile, authorities persist in downplaying the severity of these issues or blaming external parties. The report also highlighted that extreme poverty affects 89% of Cubans, and 78% desire to emigrate.

"The regime's disconnection and indifference to people's problems are characteristic of its governance," the report stated, stressing the need for structural reforms. It concluded that widespread poverty and the severe social rights crisis can only be addressed through a market economy, respect for private property, free enterprise, legal security, and foreign investment.

In an environment where the Cuban government fails to release updated official statistics on poverty, economist Pedro Monreal has strongly criticized the lack of transparency, arguing that it hinders effective policy-making. Cuba's status as the poorest country in Latin America, according to recent regional comparisons, contradicts the official narrative of sustained social progress.