Despite Cuba's severe energy crisis and ongoing blackouts across all provinces, military and government officials continue to hold their meetings in rooms cooled to the maximum capacity of their air conditioners. Meanwhile, they urge families to "save electricity" and "creatively endure" the hardships.
The latest revelation of this hypocrisy surfaced on the platform X, where journalist Mario Pentón exposed the double standards of those shaping the future of a suffering populace under the communist regime. "They ask people to conserve energy while bombarding them with blackouts, but the military and government officials can't live without air conditioning. Here they are in Ciego de Ávila, meeting with the units set to 17 degrees Celsius. In short, hypocrisy," wrote the journalist.
After thorough investigations, CiberCuba discovered that the meeting took place at the Jardines del Rey International Airport in Cayo Coco, attended by high-ranking officials from the Civil Defense to discuss natural disaster issues.
Just a few days ago, the Castro-era commander Ramiro Valdés called for "rational use of energy wherever you are," and the Electric Union (UNE) supported this request on Facebook: "Simply turning off an unnecessary light could significantly help alleviate the burden on Cuba, a country doing everything possible to emerge from the current situation for the well-being of its people."
The UNE maintains a fierce campaign in this regard, even asking Havana residents to adopt energy-saving as a way of life to avoid bothersome interruptions. However, it seems these messages are not intended for the officials or they simply disregard them.
The reality is that Cubans endure blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day, making normal life impossible. The blackouts are primarily due to the lack of investment and maintenance in the country's electrical infrastructure, as well as the reliance on imported fuels for energy generation.
Moreover, President Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted in his new YouTube segment that there were no guarantees the summer months would be free of power outages. Díaz-Canel reiterated what the Electric Union announced weeks ago: blackouts will increase due to extended maintenance work at thermal power plants, aiming to ensure service during July and August.
"We will have prolonged maintenance until June to minimize the inconvenience of blackouts in the summer, especially in July and August," the country's leader stated.
FAQs on Cuba's Energy Crisis and Government Hypocrisy
The following questions address common concerns regarding Cuba's energy crisis and the government's contradictory actions.
What is the main cause of the blackouts in Cuba?
The primary causes are the lack of investment and maintenance in the electrical infrastructure and the dependency on imported fuels for energy generation.
Where did the controversial meeting of Cuban officials take place?
The meeting took place at the Jardines del Rey International Airport in Cayo Coco.
What measures is the Cuban government proposing to tackle the energy crisis?
The government is urging citizens to save electricity and be rational in their energy use. They also plan to extend maintenance work at thermal power plants to ensure better service during the summer months.