During his tour of eastern Cuba, the country's leader Miguel Díaz-Canel asked children in Banes, Holguín, if they were enduring severe blackouts. Upon arriving in the town, the president approached a group of children and locals gathered to welcome him. To break the ice, he directly addressed the issue causing the most discomfort among the island's population.
"Hello, how are you all?" he inquired, to which the crowd responded, "Good." Díaz-Canel continued, "Good, but enduring harsh blackouts. We will improve this situation gradually. We are visiting this municipality as part of our monthly visits to the province to discuss business operations and local development," he indicated.
He added, "We aim to see what works well amid such complex situations"—blaming the U.S. embargo rather than governmental inefficiency—"to identify what doesn't work, and see if what works can inspire those that don't," Díaz-Canel stated. Just two days earlier, he visited the village of Palenque de Yateras in Guantánamo with a similar message.
The leader's speech has outraged many Cubans. Activist Lucio Enriquez criticized Díaz-Canel for being "more surrounded by security personnel than by the people," supported by "sheep" who "laugh while he mocks the blackouts!"
The day before, the official visited the municipality of San Luis in Santiago de Cuba, sharing strategic reflections with local residents about the importance of "planting more" to address current food shortages. After promising new solutions to problems that never seem to be resolved, Díaz-Canel admitted last Wednesday that his pledge to eliminate blackouts during the summer months is not feasible under "the current conditions of the country."
"There are no guarantees that the summer months will pass without disruptions in the electrical service," he explained.
Amid the crisis, families complain that children can't rest due to blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day, which has significantly impacted their school performance.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Its Impact
In light of Díaz-Canel's recent statements and the ongoing energy crisis, here are some frequently asked questions and answers to provide more context and understanding.
What is causing the frequent blackouts in Cuba?
The Cuban government attributes the frequent blackouts to the U.S. embargo, which they claim hampers their ability to maintain and upgrade the power grid. Critics, however, argue that governmental inefficiency and poor management are the primary causes.
How are the blackouts affecting daily life in Cuba?
The blackouts are severely disrupting daily life, making it difficult for families to rest and for children to perform well in school. Some areas experience power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day.
What are the government's plans to address the blackout issue?
Although Díaz-Canel has promised gradual improvements, there are no concrete guarantees that the situation will be resolved soon. The government's plans are often hindered by the same issues they blame for the blackouts.