The Cuban actress Claudia Valdés expressed her despair and sadness on social media about the situation in Cuba, affected by a massive blackout that has left a large part of the population without electricity and water since October 18.
In a recent post on Instagram, the presenter and writer also shared a photo with a necklace that has the silhouette of Cuba and expressed her deep sorrow for the reality her grandmother is facing, who remains on the island, trapped in the midst of this crisis.
"It gives me a lot of sadness and pain for my country, my people, my grandmother. The way they are treated, and I say THEY because I left 18 years ago... the only thing that ties me to that country is my grandmother and my memories, and I will always carry both with me. I will not return to live there, but that does not mean I stop being MY COUNTRY, that I don’t feel part of its people, and that it doesn’t deeply hurt me the way all Cubans inside and outside the island are treated, as if we were nothing, as if we were worth nothing, as if we had no dignity..." wrote the partner of comedian Alexis Valdés.
Throughout the days, Valdés has shared updates on her grandmother's condition, who has been without electricity or water for days due to the collapse of the electrical system in Cuba. In an Instagram story, the actress posted a screenshot of a message she sent to her grandmother, explaining the distress of not being able to communicate: "I love you, grandma. When you charge the phone, you'll see it. Patience!!!!", followed by a comment where she lamented: "Two days without electricity!!! Impressive, outrageous, humiliating!".
The reactions from her followers were immediate, showing solidarity and sharing their own pain over the crisis. "If it's not just your grandmother, it's millions of Cubans," commented one user, while another pointed out: "That's why we have to call those who are massacring our people DICTATORS… I don't want to think about the sick while there are parties in hotels with tourists right now." The comments were overwhelming and reflected the indignation and sadness shared by Cubans inside and outside the island.
Valdés also made it clear that, although his pain is immense, he does not feel in a position to demand that Cubans on the island take to the streets to protest. In a previous post, he wrote: "I speak for myself: My grandmother is still without electricity and therefore, without water... Having said this, please do not write to me asking me to tell Cubans in Cuba to take to the streets to protest... The one who pushes does not hurt themselves. The people will decide. It breaks my heart for my country and it fills me with helplessness against that regime."
The massive blackout has left several provinces without electricity for more than 57 hours. The complex situation is compounded by the imminent arrival of Tropical Storm Oscar, which threatens to worsen conditions on the island. Authorities have reported efforts to reconnect areas to the National Electric System (SEN), but the reality is that thousands of families remain in the dark with few resources.
Other Cuban artists, such as La Diosa, Willy Chirino, Yomil, and Camila Arteche, have also used their platforms to denounce the situation and raise their voices in solidarity with the Cubans facing this crisis. Camila Arteche, for example, posted images of neighborhoods completely in the dark, lamenting the helplessness she feels seeing how the island continues to sink into misery.
A few days before the energy crisis erupted, Claudia Valdés had been on the island to visit her grandmother. On October 12th, the actress shared an emotional video where she surprised her grandmother during the visit. "In your heart, my country is hidden, grandmother. I love you… I keep coming home… as long as you're here," Valdés wrote. Although her return was brief, the connection with her grandmother and the country remains deep, intensifying the pain she feels now watching the crisis from afar.
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