In a recent Facebook post, Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac acknowledged deleting an earlier post based on alleged statements from Cuba's Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy. Nevertheless, he stood firm on his underlying criticism: six decades of poor economic decisions have led to the current energy crisis plaguing the island.
Toirac admitted that his initial post was fueled by frustration over ongoing blackouts and included misinformation. "I got carried away by my annoyance and the blackouts that have me at my wit's end," he confessed. Upon reviewing official sources, he found that allegations circulating about the minister's comments were "unfounded," and some publications seemed "obviously designed to provoke impulsive reactions."
The Spread of False Information
The Cuban government, through its state-run newspaper 5 de Septiembre, had previously warned about false statements being attributed to De la O Levy. These statements falsely claimed a total disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN).
"As ugly as it might be, I apologize for that part of my post," Toirac admitted, yet he made it clear that his retraction only went so far.
Long-standing Political Responsibility
"I do not retract: while measures against Cuba have an impact on the current energy situation, I still believe that sooner or later, with the economic and financial decisions made over the past 60 years, the disaster we are living through was inevitable," he asserted.
Toirac pointed directly to political responsibility: "What others do is not up to me (though if you are a politician, you should foresee it), but I must take responsibility for what I do. Period."
Current Energy Crisis
His remarks come at a critical juncture in Cuba's energy history. The SEN suffered its fifth collapse of 2026 on Tuesday, July 14 at 11:05 am, due to the failure of the Felton 1 unit, causing a sudden shift in system parameters and frequency, according to the Electric Union.
Following this collapse, Minister De la O Levy claimed there were no operational errors. "The Electric Union possesses technical capacity, knowledge, dedication, and a strong sense of belonging," he stated.
On May 14, the minister himself acknowledged Cuba's lack of "a drop of diesel or fuel oil," describing the situation as "acute, critical, and extremely tense."
Toirac's Past Criticisms
Toirac has not shied away from this debate. Recently, he depicted life under blackouts as a "nightmare" and criticized the regime for specific decisions: closing sugar mills, the failed investment in the Juraguá nuclear plant, using heavier national crude that damaged thermoelectric plants, and neglecting maintenance of the electrical infrastructure.
This episode highlights the ongoing tension between misinformation circulating on social media about the crisis and the reality faced by millions of Cubans daily.
The comedian fell into an information trap, acknowledged it publicly, and took responsibility, yet remained steadfast on the fundamental issue: Cuba's energy disaster is not an accident, but a foreseeable outcome of decades of failed governmental management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis
What led to the current energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is attributed to decades of poor economic management and decisions, including the neglect of infrastructure maintenance and unsuccessful investments in energy projects.
How has the Cuban government responded to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the severe state of the energy sector, citing external measures against the country as contributing factors, but maintains that their technical capacity is intact.
What did Ulises Toirac say about the energy crisis?
Ulises Toirac criticized the government for decades of poor economic decisions leading to the current crisis and highlighted the systemic nature of the issue, despite retracting a post with misinformation.