A car veering off the road and ending up beneath the arcade of the Praga store in Jagüey Grande sparked a scene that quickly went viral among Cuban social media users this Monday. However, it wasn't the accident itself—minor, with no injuries or structural damage—that captured the public's attention. Instead, it was a detail that many couldn't ignore: the street was illuminated!
Amidst the severe energy crisis plaguing the country, with prolonged blackouts affecting both the North and South Councils of the municipality, the images of the incident showed streetlights on and the store's interior aglow. "Is there power in Praga?" one incredulous user questioned. "Maybe they turned on the generator," another suggested.
The surprise over the presence of electricity overshadowed interest in the specific accident. "The car on the porch isn't the news—look at the lamps and you'll be shocked by the novelty!" one commentator quipped. Others, blending disbelief with sarcasm, speculated that the driver was likely dazzled, given how many Cubans have grown accustomed to daily darkness.
Streetlights Steal the Spotlight
The stark contrast between a brightly lit night scene and the routine of blackouts stirred more buzz than the out-of-control vehicle. The unexpected spectacle drew more comments than another accident in the municipality on Sunday, involving a motorcycle and a classic car (a 1958 Buick Special).
The apparent privilege of Praga store having electricity drew complaints and suspicions. "How come there's no power in my area but there is in Praga?" a local resident expressed.
Far from becoming newsworthy due to the crash, this incident highlighted a more startling reality for many Cubans: in today's Cuba, seeing a lit street can be more astonishing than witnessing a car lose control and jump the curb.
Understanding Cuba's Power Outages
Why was the presence of streetlights so surprising in Jagüey Grande?
The surprise stemmed from the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba, which has led to frequent and prolonged blackouts. Seeing streetlights on was unexpected given the usual power outages experienced by the community.
What was more noteworthy than the car accident in Jagüey Grande?
The fact that the street and the store had electricity was more remarkable to many Cubans than the car accident itself. The rarity of seeing a lit street in the current energy crisis made this detail stand out.
How did the public react to the power being on at the Praga store?
The public was both surprised and skeptical. Some questioned how the store had electricity while others dealt with blackouts, leading to speculation about the use of generators or preferential treatment.