The employees of the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) are set to participate in a demonstration organized by Díaz-Canel this Friday. The "March of the Combatant People" aims to bolster his leadership during what is arguably the most severe crisis in the nation's history.
"Electric workers will be present in the march today to demand an end to the blockade and the removal of Cuba from the list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism. These are two slanders against our people that must end immediately," read a post on the entity's Facebook page.
The post sparked a flurry of comments from dozens of users, many expressing outrage.
"Your workers are at the march while the people are left in the dark. Great job, right?" remarked an elderly woman sarcastically.
"Of course, they have to be there at the forefront, since there's nothing else to do with no electricity," quipped another woman.
"Keep marching and don't fix what you're doing wrong. The next collapse will be beyond repair," a man warned.
"It's unbelievable how disrespectful these leaders are towards the people, wasting resources on something trivial, vain, and hypocritical," another person criticized. "They're destroying what little socialism we have left," a doctor stated with frustration.
"Celebrating blackouts and poverty," he concluded.
Many residents from other provinces demanded that those in Havana, who experience fewer blackouts, should be the ones attending the march.
"They don't lose power as we do, while we can't live without light," complained a resident from Matanzas.
"Let the Habaneros go, they don't lose power. Here in Mayabeque, it was 18 hours without light yesterday, and today they say it's going to be 20 hours without, only four with electricity," a resident from Bejucal reported.
As electric workers announce their participation in the march, power outages worsen with each passing day. With Christmas Eve approaching, many Cubans fear spending the holidays in darkness.
For this Friday, the Electric Union forecasted a 1525 MW deficit during peak hours. This comes after a previous day's service disruption due to a lack of generation capacity, leaving several provinces almost entirely without electricity throughout the night.
The government's recent call for a march has sparked a wave of criticism and frustration on social media platforms. Citizens question the usefulness of such a mobilization amid a deep economic crisis characterized by blackouts, food shortages, and widespread hardship.
The comments on social media reveal a public sentiment vastly different from the supposed widespread support claimed by the regime. Cubans are demanding real solutions to their problems: food, electricity, and respect for their fundamental rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is the "March of the Combatant People" in Cuba?
The "March of the Combatant People" is a demonstration organized by Cuba's government, led by Díaz-Canel, intended to reinforce leadership amidst the country's severe crisis.
Why are Cuban citizens criticizing the march?
Cuban citizens are criticizing the march due to the deep economic crisis the country is facing, characterized by blackouts, food shortages, and widespread poverty. Many see the march as a waste of resources.
How are power outages affecting Cubans during the holiday season?
Power outages are causing significant concern among Cubans as they fear spending the holiday season in darkness, exacerbating the hardships they already face daily.