Residents of Güines Face Endless Struggles to Restore Power After Extended Outage

In the town of Güines, located in the Mayabeque province, residents of Calle 72 have been enduring a power outage for over a week. They report a barrage of failed repair attempts characterized by haphazard fixes, poorly executed work, and a labyrinthine bureaucracy that doesn't even allow testing the circuit for functionality.

The ordeal began with a transformer explosion in front of the Nucay rum factory, plunging the neighborhood into darkness. After three unsuccessful repair efforts, technicians declared the equipment irreparable. In a reflection of the Cuban reality, rumors circulated informally that a replacement transformer could "miraculously appear" for a hefty 100,000 Cuban pesos.

This past Thursday, technicians arrived with new transformers brought in as an emergency measure. A local woman in contact with our outlet summed it up: "As with any job done under pressure and reluctance, they installed them but didn't test them. They couldn't even bother to call and ask to turn on the power briefly to test."

When they attempted to energize the circuit, the outcome was instantaneous. "Today (Friday), as soon as they attempted to switch on the power, there was another explosion with sparks flying—yet another example of the poor workmanship in this country," the resident explained.

Negligence and Frustration

Her husband overheard the technicians complaining about being sent reluctantly after media pressure highlighted the issue. However, the response was both delayed and insufficient.

The negligence was evident: "They should have tested it to ensure the work was done correctly. They didn't; they simply finished connecting the last cable, got in their vehicle, and left," the local woman recounted.

When the workers returned after the new explosion, they did nothing. "The truck arrived, and there they stood doing nothing because they had to wait for the director's instructions," reported the neighbor. Tensions flared as several residents demanded explanations, and a worker in the vehicle "responded rudely." After another failed attempt, the final blow came: "The province doesn't authorize turning on the power to test because the circuit already received all the electricity it was supposed to today: three hours."

Wider Implications and Local Concerns

The neighborhood fears that the new transformers could be damaged again, leaving them without even the meager electricity they occasionally receive. "The entire neighborhood here is worried that it will be ruined again due to the cutting done by the pole," warned the resident.

The situation in Güines is not unique. A young woman from Artemisa reported being without electricity for over five days following a transformer explosion in her area. In Guantánamo and Granma, between June 11 and 12, some circuits were without service for 24 to 49 hours. Generation deficits surpassing 2,000 MW have been recurring in May and June. Officials no longer even bother to offer explanations to the public. In Holguín and Pinar del Río, residents have reported more than thirty to forty hours without electricity, just to name a couple of examples.

The pattern seen in Güines—improvised repairs, unmotivated workers, and electricity rationed by hours—is the daily reality for millions of Cubans. This is a direct result of the national energy system's collapse after decades of state management.

In many parts of the country, the population has responded to the near-perpetual darkness with loud protests, banging pots and pans. The regime's response has been to intensify repression without offering any alternative solutions.