On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel called for adjustments to the nation's "electrical scheduling" to ensure a more equitable distribution of power outages across Cuba. He acknowledged significant "disproportions" between regions, exacerbating the public's dissatisfaction.
During a videoconference broadcast from the Palace of the Revolution, Díaz-Canel addressed members of the Communist Party, government agencies, and social organizations across the provinces and the Isle of Youth. His speech touched on both the critical state of the electrical system and issues with water supply, emphasizing the need to "better explain" efforts being made in these areas.
"The topic of electrical scheduling is crucial. I know it's challenging, but we've identified imbalances. Sometimes a provincial capital is overly protected, resulting in a relatively comfortable cycle, while another municipality faces blackouts lasting up to 25 hours. This is unacceptable," Díaz-Canel stated.
His remarks sparked outrage on social media, with thousands of Cubans responding with irony, frustration, and anger.
"And that's the solution to the blackouts?" one user questioned. Another commented, "If they experienced 30 hours or more without power, with young children and bedridden people, they would have found a solution to this major problem. The sad reality is that it doesn't affect them at all."
Many criticisms were directed at the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite. "There is disproportion in everything: they have electricity, and the people do not. The people starve while they have bellies so big that I don't know how their shirt buttons hold on. There are no medicines, hospitals are terrifying, there's no water, houses are falling apart, yet these shameless ones live the sweet life. And worst of all, you can't even express it, because you'll be imprisoned faster for demanding your rights than for committing real crimes."
Other messages were equally forceful:
"I just hope they include you and yours in the blackouts."
"In the distribution, they should include your house, Marrero's, and all the leaders'.
"It's what they've always done: distribute misery, while they keep the wealth."
"While all other countries talk about economic growth and creating better societies, here they talk about distributing hardship equally."
"Who said enduring so much misery is dignity? Where is it written that resigning to have nothing is heroic? Please, living in misery is neither deserved nor dignified. Enough already!"
Díaz-Canel's comments, far from calming the populace, reignited criticism of a government unable to solve the energy crisis that has left Cuba engulfed in increasingly prolonged blackouts with no improvement in sight.
In 2024, just days after protests against his government following an increase in blackouts, Díaz-Canel claimed he wasn't detached from the people: "My friends and family complain that the situation is tough. I'm in a family, friendship, and work environment where people face the same problems as the population because they are part of the people," he said, words that also drew skepticism from the public.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the disproportionate distribution of blackouts in Cuba?
The disproportionate distribution of blackouts is due to imbalances in electrical scheduling, where some provincial capitals are overly protected, resulting in prolonged outages for other regions.
How are Cubans reacting to Díaz-Canel's proposal on blackouts?
Cubans are reacting with irony, frustration, and anger, criticizing the privileges of the ruling elite and expressing skepticism towards the government's ability to resolve the energy crisis.
What has Díaz-Canel stated about his connection to the Cuban populace?
Díaz-Canel has claimed that he is not detached from the people, asserting that his friends and family face the same problems as the general population, a statement met with skepticism by many Cubans.