Miguel Díaz-Canel recently shared a video showcasing his tour of industrial sites in Havana del Este, boasting about strides toward greater business autonomy. However, the post quickly became a magnet for criticism, not just for the seemingly futile nature of the tour, but also due to an unexpected detail: his choice of jeans.
The Cuban leader visited several spots, including what is set to be the country's first public charging station for electric vehicles, featuring 432 solar panels along Vía Blanca in Guanabo. He also stopped by the Industrial Guanabo Enterprise Unit, where 250 trash containers for Havana are to be assembled.
In his post, Díaz-Canel stated, “We toured industrial entities in Habana del Este, discussing the importance of moving towards a business system with more autonomy and responsibilities. It is crucial for our business sector to be prepared to capitalize on economic and social transformations.”
Context of National Power Outages
This tour coincided with Cuba’s fifth complete collapse of the National Electric System in 2026, and the third in just eight days. The power outage occurred at 11:05 AM, with a generation shortfall of between 1,990 and 2,020 MW against a forecasted demand of 3,150 MW, leaving approximately 10 million people without electricity.
Against this backdrop, images of Díaz-Canel inspecting electric mobility projects while the entire country was plunged into darkness sparked outrage. “What will they produce without electricity?” questioned one user. Another highlighted the direct contradiction: “Electric charging projects for electric vehicles in a country with no electricity.”
Focus on Fashion Choices
Yet, it was the leader’s attire that drew much of the sarcasm. Observers noted his jeans appeared to be American-made Levi’s, estimated to cost between 95 euros and 120 dollars. “I never see you in 'cañero' pants,” one commented, referencing a Cuban-made clothing brand that became a symbol of the scarcity of imported garments during the 80s and 90s when many Cubans would swap out its label for that of Levi’s or Lee.
The comparisons came swiftly: “Hates capitalism but wears American jeans,” “66 years of revolution to end up wearing the most iconic jeans brand of the enemy,” “Brazenly flaunting his Levi’s, pure American merchandise,” “While the people can’t afford clothes, Canel sports Levi’s.”
Other remarks pointed to the staged nature of the visit. “New helmets and uniforms for the visit, nothing changes, did they remove the label?” quipped one user. A state worker with 30 years of service was more blunt: “I almost never have raw materials to work with, I’m often idle because there’s no fuel for the forklift, much less electricity for the machines. The president may not know those helmets and uniforms only appear when there are high-level visits.”
The post garnered over 16,700 views, 1,099 likes, and 332 comments on Facebook, with an overwhelming majority being critical. From areas like Alamar, La Lisa, and San Agustín, users reported days-long power outages and water shortages, while the leader advocated for greater business autonomy as part of a package of 176 economic measures approved by the National Assembly on June 18.
Past Controversies Over Luxury Items
This isn’t the first time Díaz-Canel’s attire has sparked controversy. He has previously been criticized for wearing Rolex watches and luxury accessories valued at thousands of dollars during public events, even as the Cuban people face an unprecedented crisis of scarcity.
Understanding the Outrage Over Díaz-Canel's Industrial Tour
Why did Díaz-Canel’s video receive criticism?
Díaz-Canel’s video was criticized due to the perceived futility of his tour of industrial sites amidst severe national power outages, as well as the irony of his wearing American-made Levi’s jeans.
What was the context of the power outages in Cuba?
Cuba experienced its fifth complete power outage of the year and the third in eight days, with a significant generation shortfall, impacting approximately 10 million people.