On Saturday, as Cuba faced a massive shortfall in electricity production—2,042 MW to be exact—with several provinces enduring blackouts lasting 30, 40, or even more continuous hours, Miguel Díaz-Canel was at the José Martí Memorial. There, he gathered with over fifty young artists to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Hermanos Saíz Association, discussing dreams, beauty, and the socialist project.
The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, began with Díaz-Canel making a declaration that might sound poetic in another setting: "The socialist construction [...] is also a struggle for meaning, for emotions, for beauty, for spirituality, and for the symbols that a society as just and inclusive as ours creates."
This comes from a leader of a society where official inflation rates exceeded 25% year-on-year in August 2026, and independent studies indicate that 94% of the population lives below the extreme poverty threshold.
Díaz-Canel encouraged the artists to "continue nurturing committed creation without forsaking aesthetic experimentation and complexity," urging them to resist what he described as hegemonic powers' attempts to "colonize culture." The glaring omission in his speech was any acknowledgment of the sleepless nights Cubans endure due to power outages.
Social media users in Cuba did not miss the irony. "How can you dream in a country where you can't sleep?" one user asked. Another was more straightforward: "Someone wake the president... let him stop dreaming if he can, because the country he's leading is falling apart." A third added, "You dream you can sleep since you don't face blackouts like the people do."
Even one of the event's attendees, journalist and poet Yeilén Delgado Calvo, inadvertently highlighted the dire situation by describing how "nights without power become hours of learning and solace for the little ones" in her neighborhood's doorways.
The event also featured the presentation of the Maestro de Juventudes Award to nearly twenty individuals, including Marilyn Bobes, Mirtha Ibarra Collado, Jorge Fornet, and Liuba María Hevia. The only foreigner honored was Brazilian theologian Frei Betto, a consultant to the regime for the Food Sovereignty Program, known for his controversial culinary advice for Cuba.
In December 2021, Betto declared in Granma that there's "no hunger" in Cuba, just "a great appetite." By March 2022, he suggested frying potato peels as a snack: "Potato peel [...] is excellent as a snack with a drink. Fried, it's excellent." In June 2024, he encouraged Cubans to plant "even in the windows" of their homes.
The award to Betto was given before the official ceremony, on Thursday, the 15th, by AHS President Yasel Toledo Garnache, who described the organization as aspiring to be "useful, far beyond culture." Useful indeed, even if it means rewarding someone who tells a hungry nation that they merely have an appetite.
Cuba has experienced eight total collapses of the National Electric System in 2026, and it's estimated that over 1.6 million Cubans have left the island since 2020. One social media user summed up the situation with a clarity often missing in official speeches: "Not everything is about celebration; there are many towns and municipalities with over 48 hours of blackout [...] The Cuban situation is extremely critical."
Diaz-Canel concluded his speech convinced that AHS members prove "that no matter how tough times are, we, as a people, have the ability, with our own talent, our own work, our own effort, and our culture, to move forward." Meanwhile, the Cuban people continue to wait for someone to bring back the light.
Understanding Cuba's Current Challenges
What is the current state of Cuba's electric system?
Cuba is experiencing significant issues with its electrical system, having faced eight total collapses in 2026. Many areas suffer prolonged blackouts, with some lasting over 48 hours.
How has inflation affected Cuban society recently?
In August 2026, Cuba's official inflation rate surpassed 25% year-on-year, severely impacting the economic situation. Independent studies state that 94% of the population lives below the extreme poverty line.
Who is Frei Betto and why was he recognized?
Frei Betto is a Brazilian theologian and advisor to the Cuban regime's Food Sovereignty Program. He was recognized at the event despite his controversial advice, such as suggesting Cubans fry potato peels as a snack.
How have Cubans reacted to the current situation?
Cubans have expressed their frustration and irony on social media, criticizing the government's focus on celebrations and dreams while the country struggles with basic necessities like electricity.