A resident from the Havana neighborhood of San Lázaro, located between Belascoaín and Gervasio, has brought attention to the uneven distribution of power outages in Havana through a video. The footage reveals a stark contrast: while his street was shrouded in darkness in the early morning hours, a nearby area just a few blocks away remained lit.
The video, recorded at 4:32 a.m. and shared on Facebook by a user named Dublon Dublon, highlights the disparity between two sections of the city and directly criticizes the official narrative of equality.
"They talk so much about equality, that in Cuba we are all the same. No, we are not the same," the man asserts at the start of the video.
According to his account, residents in his community receive electricity for only two to three hours a day, usually in the morning when most people are out of their homes.
"They give you electricity in the morning, just for a moment, two hours when everyone is at work. Then you return from work, and there's no power; you go to work, and there's no power," he laments.
As he films the area from his window, the man points out that the difference lies in the fact that the neighboring area benefits from an underground electrical grid.
"Look at the underground over there, with their electricity as it should be. But the rest of us don't even have this right," he says, showing the illuminated streets just a block or two away.
In the text accompanying the post, he describes the daily hardships faced by hundreds of families in the area.
"There's not a single day when my children, like those of so many in San Lázaro, Belascoaín, and Gervasio, can sleep as any child should," he wrote.
He further explained that the heat causes his baby's milk to spoil, and they can't even enjoy cold water amidst the sweltering temperatures.
Criticism of the Government's Response to Protests
The Havana resident claimed that authorities provided no explanation for the uneven distribution of electricity and criticized the regime's response to those who express dissatisfaction.
"The electric company has no answers for you. The government has no answers for you. Then they want to oppress the people. Then, when people protest, they want to beat them," he denounced.
In one of the video's most striking moments, he contrasts the two realities coexisting in the same city.
"Over there is capitalism, and over here is communism, the communism that solves nothing, that doesn't work, has never worked," he expressed.
The video concludes with a message reflecting the growing fatigue among many Cubans facing the energy crisis.
"Cubans are tired. Cubans are not afraid anymore. We want to live as humans, not as animals."
Widespread Dissatisfaction Across the Island
This complaint joins other videos circulating in recent weeks that challenge the distribution of electricity in Cuba.
On July 9, residents of Matanzas reported that the provincial headquarters of the Communist Party kept their air conditioners running while many communities endured up to 87 consecutive hours without electricity. In June, residents of Playa, a municipality in Havana, also reported power outages lasting up to 40 hours and an unequal distribution of electricity. Days later, another Cuban went viral after blasting the regime with a powerful message: "Get out, all of you."
The footage emerges amid the worst energy crisis the country has faced in years. This Wednesday, the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) forecasted a shortfall of 2,230 megawatts during peak demand hours, against an estimated demand of 3,100 MW, indicating that nearly three-quarters of the national territory could experience simultaneous blackouts. Additionally, in July, the National Electric System suffered several collapses, further worsening the situation for millions of Cubans.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
Cuba's power outages are primarily due to a severe energy crisis, exacerbated by outdated infrastructure and insufficient energy production to meet the demand.
How are residents coping with the power outages?
Many residents struggle without basic amenities like refrigeration and lighting, leading to spoiled food and uncomfortable living conditions, particularly in high temperatures.
What has been the government's response to the power crisis?
The Cuban government has largely failed to provide satisfactory explanations or solutions, leading to increased public dissatisfaction and protests.