Cuban Activist Challenges Minister's Solar Panel Regulations: "Cuba Needs Less Control Over Survivors"

This past Friday, Cuban activist Lara Crofs addressed a critical open letter to Armando Rodríguez Batista, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, on Facebook. In her letter, she challenges the government's recent announcement to regulate the installation of solar panels in Cuban homes, while larger environmental crises go ignored.

The controversy arose from a statement by Rodríguez Batista, in which he described the expansion of rooftop photovoltaic systems as a "historic opportunity." However, he emphasized that regulations were necessary to prevent technical and structural risks, particularly in older buildings, multifamily housing, and heritage areas. This announcement has sparked significant debate about the regime's attempt to control the burgeoning solar panel movement.

Solar Panel Restrictions Amidst Environmental Neglect

In her letter, Crofs acknowledges that technical standards may be reasonable but points out a glaring contradiction: the same government had previously facilitated the importation of photovoltaic equipment through tariff exemptions until December 2027. In April 2026, installation requirements were relaxed for specific cases such as historic centers and multifamily buildings, nullifying prior procedures and waiving fines.

She questions, "How can the expansion of home solar panels now be seen as a threat when, for thousands of Cubans, it remains one of the few viable alternatives to combat endless blackouts, preserve food, pump water, keep medications refrigerated, and ensure basic living conditions?"

The Real Environmental Crisis in Havana

Crofs' central argument targets what she terms "selective environmental concern": while the CITMA focuses on regulating solar installations, Havana has been buried under uncollected garbage for months.

The waste crisis in the capital is dire. As of February 2026, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks were operational, representing just 41% of the fleet, while the city produces between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of waste daily. With the service collapse, residents have resorted to burning trash in streets and lots, releasing carbon monoxide, dioxins, furans, and fine particles into the air.

"We aren't discussing a hypothetical threat ten or twenty years down the line; we're talking about people breathing smoke today from the burning of plastics, textiles, organic matter, and all kinds of waste," Crofs writes.

A Call for Responsible Environmental Management

The activist also recalls the August 2022 fire at the Matanzas Supertanker Base, when a toxic smoke plume—containing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and organic compounds documented by the Pan American Health Organization—extended to Havana and Mayabeque. She claims to have reported black rain and particle fallout to the CITMA at that time but never received a response.

Rodríguez Batista himself admitted in September 2025 that garbage was "scattered throughout Havana," describing it as a health, environmental, and social issue. Months later, in February 2026, he denied that the government promotes open-air burning, though he acknowledged its impact.

While Crofs does not oppose regulation itself, she criticizes its approach: "If there are environmental risks associated with batteries, regulate them, establish protocols, create collection and recycling systems, educate the population, and ensure responsible waste management. That would be fulfilling the role of an environmental authority."

The letter concludes with a statement summarizing her critique of the regime's management model: "Cuba needs less control over those surviving and more accountability from those in power."