Amidst one of the most severe energy crises Cuba has faced in recent years, with power outages extending beyond 20 hours in numerous provinces, employees of the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) gathered at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Platform in Havana this Thursday. Their purpose was to participate in an event expressing solidarity with Palestine. "With our characteristic conviction, we raise our voices for peace, justice, and solidarity among nations," the UNE posted on Facebook, sharing images of its employees and workers from the Ministry of Energy and Mines attending the demonstration.
The state-run newspaper Granma reported on events held across the island under the banner of "solidarity with Palestine," emphasizing the gathering in the capital that began at 7:30 am and was broadcast live by state television. This demonstration, set against the backdrop of a nearly complete collapse of the national electrical system, sparked outrage among citizens who view it as another example of the regime's skewed priorities.
"What they should do is head to the thermoelectric plants to see if they can solve the blackout problem," criticized a father. "Since they got up early, they should focus on generating electricity because Cuba is in darkness," another user remarked. The comments on the UNE's post were filled with sarcasm, frustration, and anger. "I started reading with hopes they were rallying in support of the Cuban people, of their own families who are without electricity," noted an emigrant.
Others labeled the march a "circus" and "pure theater," reminding that while the island remains in darkness with no tangible solutions, the government continues to organize political events. A journalist commented on the futility of the demonstration, questioning if any of the attendees were aware that Israel and Hamas had already approved President Trump's peace plan.
The discontent grows as the energy crisis shows no sign of abating. The UNE itself announced that at 6:00 am on Wednesday, the available power generation was only 1,600 MW against a demand of 2,660 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 1,086 MW. For the nighttime peak hours, they projected an impact of up to 1,590 MW, meaning hundreds of thousands of homes would remain without power for nearly the entire night.
Despite the prolonged outages affecting the entire country, the regime has intensified its propaganda efforts. Other government bodies, such as the National Assembly of People's Power and the Ministry of Finance and Prices, also reported their participation in the march.
For the Cuban public, the scene is infuriating: while families struggle without electricity, water, food, and medicine, the workers of the entity responsible for keeping the country powered are mobilized to support the regime's political agenda. As one commenter from Matanzas summed it up, "This country is worse than Gaza, with over 28 hours of blackouts and broken thermoelectric plants, and yet they are marching."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Political Priorities
Why are power outages so severe in Cuba?
Cuba faces a severe energy crisis due to outdated infrastructure, lack of investment in maintenance, and inefficient management. These factors have led to power shortages and extended outages across the island.
What was the purpose of the march attended by the UNE workers?
The march was intended to show solidarity with Palestine, reflecting the Cuban government's commitment to political alliances over addressing domestic issues, such as the current energy crisis.
How did the public react to the UNE workers' participation in the march?
The public expressed outrage and frustration, viewing the march as a misallocation of priorities. Citizens criticized the focus on political events while the country endures prolonged power outages.