Leandro NaunHung, a Cuban priest known for his community work in the rural areas of Santiago de Cuba, has expressed deep dismay upon learning that the Cuban regime is preparing for potential power outages lasting over 72 hours. This scenario is outlined in the recently enacted Decree 110.
"Enough! Lord, end this needless suffering! Come to us, at least for the Cubans! Come and take us away!" said the Catholic priest, who shares the hardships and precarious solutions with the rural and underprivileged Cubans. His remarks were published on the Facebook page of CiberCuba, in response to an announcement about the Cuban government's decision to establish a "special contingency electrical regime." This regime will be enacted whenever the national electro-energy system (SEN) is overwhelmed and on the brink of collapse, allowing the government to plan sustained blackouts of more than 72 hours.
An Unprecedented Energy Crisis
With the publication of Decree 110 in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, the government led by Miguel Díaz-Canel has formalized a sort of "state of exception." Similar to "states of alarm, exception, and siege" found in many constitutions worldwide, this grants exceptional powers to authorities to deal with extraordinary and severe situations. The new regulatory framework approved by the Cuban regime strengthens measures to control energy use amidst the current energy crisis affecting the island. This crisis has already led to total collapses of the SEN lasting over 72 hours, such as the unexpected shutdown of the Guiteras thermoelectric plant on October 18.
The approval of Decree 110 has sparked a wave of outrage and comments across social media. Although presented as necessary to address the unprecedented energy crisis plaguing the country, the measure is perceived by many as yet another blow to their already fragile quality of life. "This is endless! What's coming next... December will be tough," NaunHung expressed on CiberCuba's social media, echoing the fears of many Cubans that there is still a long way to go before hitting the rock bottom of the country's energy and structural crisis.
Understanding Decree 110 and Its Impact
As Cuba grapples with this severe energy crisis, questions continue to arise about the implications of Decree 110 and how the island will navigate through these challenging times. The situation remains dire, with citizens worried about the long-term effects on their daily lives and the overall stability of the nation.