Criticism continues to flood the Internet as the Cuban government faces backlash for its unfulfilled promises of a blackout-free summer. In recent days, power outages have far exceeded even expert forecasts. On Monday, the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) announced a power deficit of 390 MW, but as frequently happens, the estimate fell short, with final reports indicating outages due to a 708 MW deficit—nearly double the initial calculation. The UNE attributes the causes to a lack of fuel and higher-than-expected demand.
The Cuban people are tired of hearing excuses and pretexts masking the regime's inefficiency. Reports from CiberCuba on the issue have generated hundreds of criticisms directed at the government and the UNE, which in June had announced an improvement in thermal power generation for the summer, claiming an additional 100 MW compared to last year.
"This is a constant psychological torment, and on top of it, one lie after another. No one provides solutions to these problems that keep getting worse," expressed a young man on this newsroom's Facebook wall.
Amid the continuous breakdowns of old, deteriorated thermoelectric plants and the fuel shortage, people endure long power cuts during the hottest months and school vacations, leading to growing frustration and despair.
Widespread Frustration and Despair
"Blackouts are here to stay. This has been a tough summer for the Cuban people, especially for our children who eagerly awaited their well-deserved vacations. For one reason or another, the blackouts don’t cease, particularly at night when we have the added company of mosquitoes that spread diseases, some potentially deadly," lamented a woman from Matanzas.
"In our country, there used to be small thermoelectric plants built before the triumph of the Revolution; some operated on natural gas, which now gets wasted due to lack of utilization, and ran on domestic oil. They never explained why these plants were dismantled, cut into pieces, and allowed to go to waste," recalled a father.
"Now, in September, they start with the rhetoric that this year we will truly prepare for a year-end as the people deserve, with plenty of food and minimal electrical disruptions, and so on," remarked one user.
"Folks, they said for the summer, but they never specified which summer, hahaha," another user joked.
"You have to realize that none of what they say has any logical basis—promises upon promises, and everyone gets carried away. But what should never be abandoned is the word and dignity of men because when these fail, everything is lies and chaos," emphasized another netizen.
"The saddest part of all is that we don’t know which promise we Cubans are endlessly paying for. When will we be able to rest from this debt?" questioned a woman.
"Thanks to the PCC, my country progresses, and that hurts—it progresses backward like a crab," another mocked.
Understanding the Ongoing Blackout Crisis in Cuba
As the Cuban government faces mounting criticism over its handling of the summer blackout crisis, several questions have emerged. Below, we answer some of the most pressing queries related to this ongoing issue.
Why are the power outages in Cuba worse than expected?
The power outages have exceeded expectations due to a combination of factors, including a lack of fuel and higher-than-anticipated demand, as cited by the Unión Eléctrica (UNE).
What were the government's promises regarding summer blackouts?
The government had promised a summer without blackouts, supported by an expected increase in thermal power generation by 100 MW compared to the previous year.
How has the public reacted to the ongoing power outages?
The public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with many taking to social media to express their frustration and criticize the government's handling of the situation.
What are the historical issues contributing to the current power crisis in Cuba?
Historical issues include the dismantling of smaller, older thermoelectric plants that were previously operational, combined with ongoing fuel shortages and inefficient management.