The Cuban baritone, Ulises Aquino Guerra, has publicly addressed a letter to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, offering one of the most incisive critiques aimed at the regime during Cuba's most severe energy crisis in history.
In a post shared on Facebook, Aquino dismantles the official narrative by presenting statistics and contradictions inherent in the government's own statements.
He reminds readers of a statement by former Economy Minister Alejandro Gil, who once claimed in a televised discussion that Cuba generated 60% of the fuel required by its power plants. Aquino directly questions, "Was that a lie? Did he deceive us?"
Adding to this inconsistency, Aquino highlights another troubling point: If the energy system lacked security, why did the regime invest $19 billion in hotels that connect to the same electrical grid as the citizens?
Unveiling Cuba's Economic Burden
The opera singer outlines a detailed account of Cuba's external debt, questioning the destination of funds.
Russia forgave an amount equivalent to $30 billion; the Paris Club waived interest on $8.487 billion; Japan holds outstanding claims of $1.17 billion; Mexico accounts for $340 million; and Spain for $500 million.
Aquino estimates that Cuba currently owes around $41 billion and is in default, incurring approximately $1.5 billion annually in interest alone at a minimum rate of 5%, without repaying a cent of principal.
"These debts are not signed by the people, yet they end up shouldering them," he writes.
The Consequences of Mismanagement
What concerns Aquino most is not the debt's size, but its structural impact: "By not investing in the thermoelectric plants, we will never be able to repay it. We are doomed, as you said, to adapt to being miserable in the 21st century."
The letter demands the resignation of the minister and the entire government, suggesting a public referendum to allow citizens to vote on whether to continue tolerating the current situation.
"The honest, fair, and revolutionary thing to do is to have the dignity to step down," Aquino asserts.
The cultural promoter also criticizes the 176 economic measures passed by the National Assembly in June, describing them as "absolutely capitalist" and "impossible to implement" without the essential resource of electricity.
"This is not just another sacrifice; it is the complete annihilation of the dreams of an entire nation, to uphold an economic system that has failed, and you know it," the baritone concludes in his letter to the minister.
The publication came shortly after Minister De la O Levy responded to the fourth nationwide blackout in 2026 with the phrase, "nobody surrenders here," without announcing any concrete measures to boost electricity generation.
Just days later, on July 14, another total collapse of the national electric system occurred, leaving over nine million people without power.
This isn't the first occasion Aquino has criticized the regime so intensely. On July 12, he penned a letter to his deceased revolutionary parents, lamenting that their sacrifices resulted in historical failure.
In June, he challenged President Díaz-Canel after the PCC's Extraordinary Plenum with a question summing up his accumulated indignation: "If it depended on us, why didn't you change it? Did you have to drag us through this ordeal to realize?"
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Economic Challenges
What is Ulises Aquino's main criticism of the Cuban government?
Ulises Aquino criticizes the Cuban government for investing in luxury hotels instead of securing the country's energy infrastructure, questioning the regime's priorities amid a severe energy crisis.
How much is Cuba's estimated external debt?
Cuba's external debt is estimated to be around $41 billion, with significant amounts forgiven by countries like Russia and organizations like the Paris Club.
What does Aquino propose to address the current situation in Cuba?
Aquino calls for the resignation of the minister and the government, proposing a public referendum to let citizens decide if they want to continue under the current regime.