Cuban-American Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez issued a call to action on Thursday with a message on X, using the hashtag #SOSCuba. He urged the international community to maintain pressure on the Cuban regime and stand with the island's citizens in their quest for freedom.
"We must keep the pressure on Cuba's brutal regime and support the Cuban people in their struggle for liberty," wrote the Florida legislator. His post was accompanied by a video vividly depicting the dire circumstances currently faced by the island.
Giménez drew upon former President Donald Trump's recent statement, which labeled Cuba as a "failed nation" moving in a downward spiral, to emphasize the need for sustained international pressure until genuine change is achieved.
"Every night there are protests. There is no light in Cuba. If you look at satellite images taken at night, you see a few lights in Havana and that's it; the rest of the island is plunged into darkness," Giménez noted, echoing reports by international media following successive total blackouts in the national electrical system.
The congressman outlined the severe shortages plaguing the population: lack of food, medicine, fuel, and electricity. "People are fed up. They want freedom, they want change," he remarked.
Discussing the regime's future, Giménez was clear: "This regime won't disappear on its own, but I believe there will be significant internal pressure for change, and I think we just need to continue applying pressure on the regime for that change to happen."
His message comes amid an unprecedented energy crisis in Cuba, with the Electric Union reporting record power deficits of up to 2,153 MW as of May 2026.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged power outages lasting 20 to 22 hours daily in some circuits, describing the situation as "acute, critical," and "extremely tense."
Protests have also surged. Between May 12 and 18, demonstrators took to the streets in several Havana municipalities, banging pots, lighting fires, and blocking roads while chanting slogans like "Down with the dictatorship!" and demanding "electricity and food."
The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts recorded 1,245 protests in March 2026, the highest monthly total since the July 11 demonstrations in 2021, and 1,133 protests in April, a 29.5% increase from the same month the previous year.
Throughout 2026, Giménez has maintained a hardline stance aligned with the Trump administration. In March, he proposed a total oil embargo and cutting financial flows, and in April, he warned that the regime's leaders could face judicial repercussions similar to those of other authoritarian rulers in the region.
Giménez has defined his lifelong commitment to Cuba's freedom, stating that "there will be no U.S. investment in the island without significant political changes."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Crisis
What actions did Carlos Giménez propose to support Cuba?
Carlos Giménez called for maintaining international pressure on the Cuban regime and proposed measures such as a total oil embargo and cutting financial flows to press for change.
What is the current energy situation in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented energy crisis, with record power deficits and power outages lasting up to 22 hours daily in some areas, as reported by the Electric Union.
How have the Cuban people responded to the crisis?
The Cuban people have taken to the streets in protest, with demonstrations occurring regularly as they demand electricity and food, and express their discontent with the regime.