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Just three days before the new collapse of the National Electricity System (SEN) this Friday, which left nearly the entire country in darkness, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel attempted to downplay the energy crisis with a statement that, in hindsight, only served to reinforce the perception of the regime's disconnection from the reality of the people.
"Yesterday, there wasn't such a long blackout", he confidently stated in Matanzas, during a visit where he, also the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), attempted to justify the deficiencies of the electrical system, right when that province had accumulated more than 20 hours without electricity, experiencing a continuous outage of up to 32 hours.
During his visit last Wednesday to the municipality of Martí, the leader acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, admitting that the residents of Matanzas had faced power outages of up to "32 consecutive hours." However, he quickly resorted to his usual script, blaming the U.S. embargo and the country's economic constraints.
In his speech, which was broadcasted live by the provincial government of Matanzas, Díaz-Canel stated that "the unity of the Cuban people is key to overcoming the current challenges," calling for resilience and understanding amid the crisis.
As a solution to the electrical crisis, Dr. Díaz-Canel has once again opted for future promises instead of concrete and immediate measures. He explained that the government is installing solar parks in various regions of the country, including two in Matanzas, which "will contribute more than 170 megawatts by mid-year and up to a thousand megawatts by the end of 2025."
Three days after his speech in Martí, the leader is once again at the center of attention among Cuban internet users who criticize his inefficiency in addressing the widespread energy crisis affecting the country.
"Intense efforts are underway to restore stability to the National Electric System. Since last night and throughout the early morning, we have been in constant communication with Minister Vicente de la O Levy. Several provinces have already set up their microsystems, and the generation units are beginning to synchronize," Díaz-Canel reported on X (formerly Twitter) this Saturday.
The contrast between the words spoken by the leader and the reality of the country 72 hours later did not go unnoticed on social media. "We don't need more 'tireless work.' We need results, people who solve more even if they work less. A donkey doesn't do in 20 hours what a tractor does in five. Please, just leave," remarked a user on the social network.
"But you do have electricity. Who pays for the equipment damaged by so many fluctuations and the spoiled food? We need you to speak out about this. It's shameful," another Cuban commented. A third person stated that "only deep political, economic, and social changes can stop the deterioration and disintegration of the national fabric."
In his appearance in Matanzas, Díaz-Canel took a moment to address those who criticize his management on social media, labeling them as "haters." However, 72 hours after expressing his disdain for independent voices that highlight the evident incompetence of his leadership and the government of what is known as "continuity," the SEN once again exposed the king, marking the fourth collapse in less than six months.
While the regime continues to rely on empty promises and technical justifications regarding the "system fluctuation," the population is facing a situation of absolute precariousness.
The lack of electricity has forced the suspension of work and school activities, and has jeopardized access to basic necessities such as drinking water and food preservation. However, the Ministry of Tourism quickly assured that the hotel sector has a "solid energy backup", making it clear what the regime's true priorities are.
In every electrical crisis, the authorities repeat the same script: promises of quick recovery, calls for resilience, and speeches that downplay the severity of the problem. However, each new collapse further exposes the cracks in an obsolete system that is incapable of ensuring stable service.
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