Pedro Jorge Velázquez, a pro-regime communicator known on social media as "El Necio" (@pejovex), shared a video on Instagram Friday night celebrating the fact that Havana experienced no power outages due to insufficient electricity generation.
According to the government, this supposed improvement was attributed to the commissioning of thermal machines and investments in solar energy. The event was portrayed as a sign of restored power generation capacity in the capital.
After enjoying more than 12 continuous hours of electricity in his home, El Necio symbolically turned on his air conditioner in front of the camera to signify the return to "normalcy."
"You understand how valuable it is that Cuba is overcoming this energy blockade and advancing on its own efforts. They underestimate a small country that has immense resilience, and they underestimate a people who, when times are toughest, know how to rise and move forward," he stated.
"Now, I'm going to turn on the air conditioner. There’s electricity. Havana with zero generation capacity issues. Cuba triumphs over those who wish to see it fall," he concluded in his video.
Pedro Jorge Velázquez studied Journalism at the Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas and identifies himself as a "militant journalist" who does not believe in neutral journalism. He is an outspoken supporter of the Cuban regime on social media.
In February 2026, the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on him for his alleged involvement in harassment campaigns against American diplomats in Cuba.
The video is particularly notable because just this past August, Velázquez himself admitted that living in Cuba had become "radically difficult," citing daily shortages of water, refrigeration, and electricity.
The Untold Reality of Havana's Power Situation
Velázquez attributed the improvement to Cuba's "own efforts" against the "energy blockade" and Washington's "total suffocation measures," referring to oil restrictions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He quoted pro-government journalist Bernardo Espinosa to support the "good news," although Espinosa admitted on Facebook that some circuits in the capital were without power due to maintenance and breakdowns.
The harsh reality omitted from the video is stark. That same Friday, the National Electric System was operating with only 1,300 MW against a projected demand of 3,300 MW, with a forecasted shortfall of 1,970 MW.
Havana's Electric Company reported 13 circuits and 35 MW affected in the capital by midday. This, in the province that traditionally receives preferential treatment in the distribution of energy compared to the rest of the country.
While Velázquez was turning on his air conditioner, several circuits in Holguín endured between 19 and 21 consecutive hours without electricity. In Manatí, Las Tunas, a resident went viral with a video complaint that her community received just one hour and 45 minutes of power per day.
Comedian Ulises Toirac captured public skepticism with a widely shared remark: "They can bring in seven new thermoelectric plants next week and have oil flowing through pipelines, but in 15 years the blackouts will still be there."
Understanding Cuba's Power Challenges
What was the reason behind the 12 hours of uninterrupted electricity in Havana?
The government credited the continuous power supply to the activation of thermal machines and investments in solar energy, claiming it restored generation capacity.
How did the rest of Cuba fare during this period?
While Havana had uninterrupted power, regions like Holguín faced prolonged outages, enduring up to 21 hours without electricity.
What are the broader implications of the power challenges in Cuba?
The ongoing energy crisis highlights systemic issues within Cuba's infrastructure and the impact of external pressures, creating significant daily challenges for its citizens.