On Wednesday, Miguel Díaz-Canel took to his social media account to extend birthday greetings to Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his 74th birthday. Accompanying the message was a photo from one of his meetings with the Russian leader. Meanwhile, millions of Cubans continue to suffer through blackouts lasting over 20 hours daily, compounded by a severe water crisis.
Pro-Kremlin media outlets, such as Russia's Channel 5, quickly amplified Díaz-Canel's message by translating and broadcasting it in Russian.
The Cuban leader's message read: "We extend heartfelt congratulations to President Vladimir Putin on his 74th birthday. We wish him health and success in his duties at the helm of the Russian Federation."
Responses from Cubans on social media, recalling reactions from last year, suggest a similar tone this year: "Communists congratulating a right-wing Russian dictator. How shameful," one user commented. Another was more blunt: "Both you and him should be dead by now for being terrorist dictators." A third summed up the relationship between the two: "Stop flattering him. Putin already told you he won't even give you the candles for the cake. Start hustling, Salivita Canel."
Dire Situation in Cuba Amid Diplomatic Gestures
The stark contrast between Díaz-Canel's message and Cuba's reality is striking. On the same day, the Electric Union reported an availability of merely 1,210 MW against a projected demand of 3,000 MW, resulting in an estimated deficit of 1,790 MW and peak hour disruptions of 1,820 MW.
So far in 2026, Cuba has experienced eight national collapses of its National Electric System.
While the power crisis worsens the water emergency, it's not the sole factor. The regime itself admitted that 2.7 million Cubans lack regular access to running water, a figure the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) raises to 3.5 million.
The Ongoing Tradition of Diplomacy
Extending birthday wishes to Putin has become a tradition for the Cuban leader. For Putin's 73rd birthday in 2025, Díaz-Canel wished him continued success in "leading that brotherly country," a message that sparked widespread criticism on Cuban social media. In May of this year, on Victory Day, he sent a "warm and grateful embrace" to Putin, echoing the Kremlin's narrative on Ukraine.
The regime's diplomatic overtures to Moscow stand in stark contrast to the scant energy aid received. The only Russian tanker to arrive in Cuba in 2026 was the Anatoli Kolodkin, docking in Matanzas on March 31 with around 730,000 barrels of crude—sufficient for seven to 15 days of national consumption. Díaz-Canel himself admitted in May that this oil was "running out these days," with no knowledge of when the next shipment would arrive.
While the regime showers Moscow with praise, Ukrainian military intelligence estimates that over 20,000 Cubans have been recruited to fight under the Russian flag since 2023, with at least 93 casualties identified by name as of January 2026.
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Diplomatic Challenges
What is the current state of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing significant energy shortages, with availability far below the demand, leading to frequent blackouts lasting over 20 hours daily.
How is Cuba's diplomatic relationship with Russia impacting the country?
Cuba maintains close diplomatic ties with Russia, but despite the political gestures, the tangible support, particularly in energy resources, has been minimal.
Why is there criticism towards Díaz-Canel's birthday message to Putin?
Critics argue that the message is inappropriate given Cuba's internal struggles and the Russian government's controversial international actions, highlighting the disconnect between the regime's diplomacy and the needs of the Cuban people.