This Wednesday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel embarked on a tour of various areas in Havana, which state media labeled as "very useful places" for the city's daily life. The visit was presented as a symbol marking the end of the year and outlining plans through 2026.
During his tour, Díaz-Canel inspected energy, agricultural, recreational, and transportation facilities, all in various stages of recovery or initiation.
The journey began in the Cotorro municipality, where one of the country's first battery energy storage systems is under construction. This project is linked to the energy transition and aims to stabilize the National Electric System, according to the Presidential Office's website.
Sector leaders explained that this facility could become operational by the second quarter of 2026, with the goal of reducing fluctuations caused by solar power generation.
Later, the president visited the "Los CDR" urban farm in Guanabacoa, managed by the Youth Labor Army, where discussions centered on agricultural yields, performance-based pay systems, and annual production forecasts.
The itinerary continued with stops at the Marcelo Salado Recreational Complex, the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Sports Complex, the Jardines de La Tropical, and concluded at the Axess Commercial Center of the Ministry of Transportation, which is adding 15 electric vehicles to the capital's funeral services.
The official narrative emphasized "determination," "perseverance," and "doing more when resources are available."
However, citizen reactions on social media painted a different picture of Havana, one mired in up to 20-hour daily blackouts, water shortages in many neighborhoods, piled-up garbage, missing basic food items, and critical public services.
Users voiced criticism over the leader's focus on spruced-up facilities while ignoring healthcare institutions with collapsed services, sewage-flooded neighborhoods, bodegas without rice, homes lacking liquefied gas, and municipalities receiving water via trucks once a month.
Others mocked the contrast between "Merry Christmas" messages and a populace experiencing these times as "hell."
The disconnect between official rhetoric and everyday reality is once again laid bare. The Havana portrayed in these visits is fragmented, selectively showcased, and detached from the structural decline described by its own residents.
Rather than a city on the mend, what emerges is a capital where small projects fall short in masking widespread decay or answering an increasingly common question: when will the authorities tour the disaster that people face daily, without scripts or cameras?
Understanding the Contrast in Havana's Reality
What areas did Díaz-Canel visit during his tour of Havana?
Díaz-Canel visited areas including energy, agricultural, recreational, and transportation facilities, such as the Cotorro municipality, Los CDR urban farm in Guanabacoa, Marcelo Salado Recreational Complex, and the Axess Commercial Center.
How did citizens react to Díaz-Canel's tour?
Citizens reacted critically on social media, highlighting issues such as prolonged blackouts, water shortages, and neglected public services, contrasting sharply with the official narrative.
What is the significance of the energy storage system in Cotorro?
The energy storage system in Cotorro is significant as it represents a step towards energy transition and aims to stabilize the National Electric System, potentially mitigating solar power fluctuations.