Following the fifth complete collapse of Cuba's National Electric System this Tuesday at 11:05 a.m., the island's Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, addressed the press. His statements quickly ignited a storm of criticism on social media.
Minister de la O Levy insisted that the failures of the SEN are not due to operational mistakes, instead blaming external factors: "We have said it before, and we say it again: there is a complete lack of fuel, and we do not have access to spare parts for our thermoelectric units or those of Energás."
This marks the third total blackout within just eight days and the fifth of the year, in a situation where daily blackouts average between 20 and 24 hours across the island.
Public Outcry and Social Media Reactions
During the minister's address, only 4% of Havana's customers had electricity, equating to roughly 33,188 clients with just 17 MW of power available. The outage also worsened the condition of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, the country's largest, which has gone 16 years without major maintenance and experienced at least 17 unscheduled shutdowns in 2026. A leak in its boiler, still being evaluated, was also reported.
The minister's comments triggered a wave of criticism on Cubadebate's Facebook post, where hundreds rejected the embargo as the sole explanation. "The never-ending story," one user summarized, capturing the frustration of many Cubans.
Unfulfilled Promises and Lingering Questions
Many highlighted the contradiction between unfulfilled promises and reality: "How can there be so many outages with 72 photovoltaic parks already installed? With almost 12 hours of sun, why does the Cuban population only get two hours of electricity a day?" a citizen questioned, recalling that in April 2025, the ministry claimed only eight parks produced 958 MWh daily.
Outrage also targeted De la O Levy's history of broken promises: in September 2024, he stated Cuba would generate at least one minute without imported fuel by 2025—a promise never realized.
A widely shared comment demanded, "Minister, now is not the time to boast; recognize the errors, causes, and solutions. We are still waiting for the 400 MW your subordinate promised before July 26."
Priorities and Infrastructure Concerns
Many questioned why, during years of significant Venezuelan oil supplies and increased tourism revenue, the regime prioritized luxury hotel construction, like the Tower K in Havana, over modernizing outdated thermoelectric plants. "For hotels along the Malecón, there was no embargo," noted a user, while another asked, "Why are there spare parts for hotels but not for power plants?"
Commentators also pointed out that Cuban thermoelectric plants use Soviet-era technology from the 1980s, not American, questioning the embargo's relevance when Russia and China could supply parts.
Minister de la O Levy concluded his address with a statement many saw as an admission of helplessness: "It is a long, hard, and sacrificial road," he said about the so-called energy transition, while Prime Minister Manuel Marrero promised to restore the SEN "as soon as possible" without providing specific deadlines.
FAQs on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of Cuba's recent power grid failures?
According to the Cuban government, the recent failures are due to a lack of fuel and spare parts, not operational errors. Critics, however, argue that mismanagement and outdated infrastructure play significant roles.
How have Cubans reacted to the power outages?
Cubans have expressed outrage on social media, criticizing the government's explanations and the prioritization of hotel construction over essential infrastructure improvements.
What has been promised to resolve these energy issues?
There have been promises to restore the National Electric System quickly and to increase energy generation without imported fuel, though many of these promises remain unfulfilled.