Determined to persist in his critiques despite being a staunch supporter of the "revolution," state journalist Jesús Álvarez López once again took to social media to voice his suspicions that power outages in Cuba do not affect all citizens equally.
Enduring yet another massive blackout this Sunday, the veteran journalist from the Villaclareña CMHW network called for a more equitable distribution of electricity, expressing his frustration over the suspicion that power cuts occur more frequently and last longer in common neighborhoods compared to areas inhabited by the regime's privileged.
"The electricity came at 2:27 a.m. and went out at 2:34. Only 7 minutes. I advocate for distributing electricity equally throughout Cuba, with no privileges for anyone," said Álvarez López in a Facebook post.
In less than 24 hours, his post garnered over 150 comments from Cubans who supported his proposal and shared their own suspicions or certainties that blackouts in Cuba distinguish between humble neighborhoods and exclusive areas for diplomats, foreign companies, and regime officials.
"That policy is not applied. The further from El Morro, the more blackouts. Whoever believes otherwise is delusional," commented one user. "If [the blackouts] were even, we'd have fewer. Some circuits never lose power, while others can't catch a break," opined another user.
"In El Santo, the power went out at 1:30 p.m., and it’s now 7:35 a.m., and it still hasn't returned. Long live the revolution!" expressed another user sarcastically. "In my area, it went out at midnight and came back at 6 a.m.," noted another.
"It's been many years since all Cubans were equal. There are privileges, and the disparities grow daily, while they claim the people are confused. With these sporadic bursts of light, we no longer know whom to blame, except for the real and only culprits. It's impossible to sleep just 4 hours each night. The next day, between the heat and work, everything becomes very difficult," added another commenter.
"I agree. When one reads the concept of 'revolution,' it's clear that many leaders have forgotten it, and many of these words are not upheld today. It's about equality and full freedom; it's about treating others as human beings. It's about never lying or violating ethical principles. It's about unity," said another scholar of the so-called "Cuban revolution," clearly frustrated by the ongoing blackouts.
Understanding Cuba's Power Outage Inequality
Here are some frequently asked questions about the unequal distribution of power outages in Cuba and the concerns raised by citizens and journalists.
Why do some areas in Cuba experience more frequent blackouts?
Many citizens and observers believe that power outages are more frequent in common neighborhoods compared to areas inhabited by diplomats, foreign companies, and regime officials.
What did Jesús Álvarez López advocate for in his social media post?
Jesús Álvarez López called for an equitable distribution of electricity across Cuba, ensuring that no one receives special treatment during power outages.
How did the public react to Álvarez López's post?
The post received over 150 comments from Cubans who largely supported his call for equality and shared their own experiences and frustrations regarding the power outages.