Related videos:
The outrage of Cubans has been felt on social media following the publication of a post by independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, who highlighted the contrast between the prolonged blackouts in Camagüey and the energy waste at the recently inaugurated Hotel Torre K-23, located in the heart of Havana.
"I have gone more than 24 hours without being able to see my mom via video calls. More than 15 hours of daily power outages in Camagüey, which also means a blackout in communications, and like me, thousands of families are separated," wrote the young man on his Facebook profile.
The complaint was also accompanied by an image of the hotel of GAESA (managed by the Spanish hotel chain Iberostar) completely illuminated amid the energy crisis affecting much of the country. In the photo, the structure stands out at night with all its lights on, both on the façade and on its upper floors, in sharp contrast to the darker surroundings of the nearby buildings.
The contrast between the ostentatious lighting of the hotel and the reality faced by ordinary Cubans has fueled criticism on social media. "A building that illustrates the true reality of Cuba. A parallel Cuba with lights for the ruling elite and total darkness for the common Cuban," added Tan Estrada.
On her part, the activist Yamilka Lafita, the author of the photograph and known on social media as Lara Crofs, described the contrast and injustice experienced under the Cuban regime. In a post titled "The Damned Circumstance of Totalitarianism Everywhere," the activist denounced the inequality that is increasing alongside the current energy crisis.
"While the country remains in shadows... Amidst the urban jungle that has overtaken this island, after 65 years of a failed system, the Palace of Buckingham of the Cuban Monarchy emerges. Full of lights and fanfares, a castle built at the expense of the pain and neglect of a people subjected to the suffering of misery, who will never even get a chance to set foot there," said Lafita.
Energy crisis out of control
The situation in Camagüey reflects an energy crisis that is worsening day by day. The lack of electricity generation keeps the country in a state of instability, with a deficit that, according to data from Cuba's Electric Union (UNE), exceeded 1,500 MW in recent days, leading to blackouts of over 12 hours in several provinces.
In Camagüey, residents report power outages of up to 15 hours a day, affecting not only access to basic services but also communications and the daily lives of thousands of families.
Despite this discouraging outlook, images of Havana reveal a completely different reality in privileged areas, where the power supply appears unaffected. The Torre K Hotel, according to reports from users on social media, keeps all its lights on without visible restrictions, a situation that has sparked outrage among the population.
The energy crisis in Cuba remains without a clear solution, while public discontent grows over the lack of fairness in electricity distribution.
Filed under: