Facebook user Julio Gonpagés captured the sentiments of many Cubans affected by power outages when he saw the lights of the K-23 Tower in El Vedado shining brightly on dark nights from their homes.
"A large area of Vedado is experiencing complete darkness. Many of us have to climb over 15 floors and remain in the dark for hours so that the K-23 Tower can showcase its lights throughout the night. The best installation of the Biennial is 'The Land of Shadows and Its Contrasts,'" said Gonpagés.
The statements come in a context of growing outrage over the visible inequality symbolized by the luxury Hotel K-23, owned by the military conglomerate GAESA, and located in the heart of a crumbling city, with streets littered with garbage, a lack of food, and hospitals deprived of essential supplies.
This luxury skyscraper has faced harsh criticism on social media, where many Cubans view it as a symbol of the government's misplaced priorities.
The hotel is still not open to the public. It is estimated that the illuminated areas correspond to floors where workers are racing against the clock at night to complete the project, which has experienced significant delays.
"The Mirador de la Miseria" continues to generate debate.
The K-23 Tower, dubbed by internet users as "The Lookout of Misery" or "The Tower of Arrogance," has been criticized not only for its aesthetic impact on the urban landscape but also for the lack of purpose behind its construction in a country plagued by unmet basic needs.
Its estimated cost is around 565 million dollars. The building stands in stark contrast to the ruins of Cuba's power plants and the lack of investment in hospitals and housing.
A 300 MW power plant, similar to the Antonio Guiteras CTE which is currently out of service, costs between 210 and 450 million dollars. The investment planned for K-23 could have addressed some of the issues of the energy crisis in the country, but the regime preferred to have another empty luxury hotel in Havana.
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