On Wednesday, Cubavisión excitedly announced the premiere of the Brazilian soap opera 'Mania de Ti' on their social media platforms. However, any enthusiasm among Cubans was quickly overshadowed by concerns over the reliability of the electrical service.
"AT LAST! THE OBSESSION EVERYONE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT ARRIVES TONIGHT," the network declared, scheduling the show for 8:45 PM. Yet, the public's reaction quickly boiled down to one pressing question: with what power?
Comments such as, "I don't know with what power it will be watched if there's never any at that time," and "The Guiteras is laughing at this," captured the skepticism surrounding the broadcast.
The Energy Crisis Overshadows Entertainment
Irony runs deep as Cuba faces one of its most severe energy crises in May 2026. Generation shortfalls exceeded 1,440 MW last Sunday, leading to blackouts of up to 18 to 24 hours daily in eastern provinces like Holguín, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba.
This isn't the first occurrence. Back in April, when Cubavisión announced the rerun of another Brazilian soap, 'Cosa más linda,' sarcastic remarks flooded social media. One particularly resonant comment quipped, "I watch a soap opera called 'Cosa más oscura' every day."
A Tale of Two Women
'Mania de Ti', the Spanish version of Mania de Você, is a production by TV Globo penned by João Emanuel Carneiro, known in Cuba for hits like 'Avenida Brasil' and 'Todas las Flores.' It chronicles the lives of two women born on the same day in starkly different social settings—Viola, a modest young woman with culinary talent, and Luma, a wealthy and spoiled chef—in the resort town of Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro. The plot weaves drama, romance, thriller, and humor into a complex love quadrangle.
The cast features Gabz, Agatha Moreira, Chay Suede, Nicolas Prattes, Adriana Esteves, Mariana Ximenes, and Rodrigo Lombardi. The soap aired in Brazil from September 9, 2024, to March 28, 2025, reaching Cuban screens months later, a common delay for state-acquired productions.
Contradictory Success
Interestingly, Mania de Você was deemed a significant ratings flop for Globo's nine o'clock slot in Brazil. Yet, it received a nomination for the International Emmy 2025 for Best Telenovela, and Nicolas Prattes clinched the Produ 2025 award for Best Leading Actor in a Romantic Soap.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
What is causing Cuba's current energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is largely attributed to outdated infrastructure, insufficient maintenance, and financial constraints, leading to frequent power outages and significant generation deficits.
How are Cubans reacting to the power outages?
Many Cubans express frustration and skepticism, often resorting to humor and sarcasm on social media to cope with the prolonged outages affecting their daily lives.