Related videos:
The comment of a Cuban woman who is happy about the blackouts in Havana has gone viral on social media.
Mercedes Pérez, originally from Cienfuegos, sparked a strong controversy and nearly 3,000 reactions on Facebook after expressing her happiness over the power outages in the capital, amid the recent national electrical collapse.
The publication was responding to a note from CiberCuba titled "Less than two percent of customers in Havana have electricity", published on March 16, one day after the blackout that left all of Cuba in darkness due to a malfunction at a power substation in the capital.
In the comments section, Pérez wrote: "I’m very glad that the people in Havana don’t have electricity, let them suffer and have a hard time, because the people in the provinces always have to deal with everything, there’s never any power here, 38 hours without electricity, let the people in Havana suffer, I’m glad they have nothing."
The comment quickly went viral, generating a wave of criticism, although many users defended his stance.
Among the many responses, messages stood out that called for empathy and unity among Cubans in the face of the severe crisis the country is going through.
"But what are you talking about? We Habaneros are not responsible for the things your president does; we're in the same situation. I was without electricity for three days, and they cut it here every day as well. Your president has electricity, but we do not," expressed a woman.
For his part, a self-employed worker noted that Pérez's text reflects the "anthropological damage caused by decades of division and social control" under the Castro regime.
"That way of thinking is also part of the damage done by communism. Look at what the CDR are, created to control and divide the people. As the old saying goes: divide and conquer. That's how they have us at odds," she emphasized.
Other internet users expressed sadness and disappointment at the lack of solidarity among compatriots.
"That hatred is part of what has us in this situation," wrote a father. "Ma'am, blame the government, which is to blame, not the people of Havana."
"That one is just envious. We are also human beings. What happens in the provinces happens to us here too. We need to come together, not turn against each other," said a user.
"The one to blame for your misfortunes is not the people of Havana, socotroco (...). Go to the PCC, to Díaz-Canel's house, go see the director of Mines, your anger is misdirected," another suggested to him.
"To this level reaches the stupidity of the Cuban; it’s not against the one who takes it away from her but against the others who are also suffering. It’s because of stupid people like this that this dictatorship exists in Cuba; we ourselves are our worst enemy, we are screwed," emphasized a musician.
An émigré lamented the tone of the post and urged to put resentment aside: "With so much need in the entire country, and her rejoicing in another Cuban's misfortune... How sad. That's not how a better country is built."
A historical inequality
The extended blackouts that have plagued Cuba for months have not only plunged the country into an unprecedented energy crisis but also highlighted the deep inequalities in the distribution of electrical service between Havana and the rest of the provinces.
While in cities inland, power outages can last over 15 hours a day, in the capital they remain shorter.
This situation causes discomfort among the residents of the provinces, who accuse the government of maintaining a preferential treatment towards Havana, to the detriment of the rest of the country.
"The national balance is evident. The four hours taken from Havana are what the Hero City can enjoy, while the rest of the day is spent in darkness," a resident of Santiago joked last December, referring to the historical centralism of the capital.
In November, the Electric Company of Havana reported that due to the generation deficit in the National Electric System (SEN), it was necessary to implement "emergency" power cuts. Nevertheless, the figures continue to show disparities that many consider unjust.
The perception that Havana is favored is not new, but the worsening of the crisis has made this gap increasingly infuriating for millions of Cubans. For years, the regime has downplayed blackouts in the capital for political and image-related reasons, aware that there are government headquarters, strategic institutions, and embassies located there.
While the government maintains an ambiguous discourse, not openly recognizing the imbalance in service distribution, energy centralization has deepened the sense of neglect in the interior of the country.
The people continue to pay the price for decades of mismanagement: in the countryside, in the cities, in Havana, and throughout the country. However, the power outages clearly reveal the deep cracks in a model that has favored some while neglecting others.
For millions of Cubans in the provinces, it's not just about light or darkness; it's a reflection of a fragmented and unequal country where energy justice remains, like so many other things, an unfulfilled promise.
A reflection of discomfort and social fracture
The comment from the user in Cienfuegos, beyond the specific controversy, reflects the growing social fracture and tension between regions, fueled by years of centralism, shortages, and accumulated frustration.
For many, it is a painful reflection of the impact that the Cuban structural crisis has had on relations among its citizens.
While power outages, inflation, and shortages of food and medicine affect all provinces equally, awareness is growing that the true culprit behind these hardships is the political and economic system that has led the country to its current situation, not the citizens of one region or another.
The episode has also served as a platform for many Cubans to express their desire for unity, respect, and mutual solidarity, at a time when, as comments indicate, "we can no longer remain divided while the country falls apart."
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Fracture in Cuba and Recent Blackouts
Why has Mercedes Pérez's comment about the blackouts in Havana caused controversy?
The comment by Mercedes Pérez went viral because she expressed joy regarding the power outages in Havana, which sparked a heated debate on social media. Her stance reflects the accumulated resentment due to perceived inequalities between the capital and the rest of the provinces, exacerbated by the ongoing energy and social crisis in Cuba.
What is the root of resentment between the inhabitants of Havana and the provinces?
The root of resentment lies in the perception of inequality in the distribution of resources and basic services, such as electricity. The provinces have experienced more frequent and prolonged blackouts, while Havana has historically been seen as a priority, which has fueled tensions and divisions among Cubans from different regions.
What do Cubans think about the government's response to the energy crisis?
Many Cubans express indignation and frustration towards the government's handling of the energy crisis. They believe that official explanations are insufficient and demand immediate actions to improve their quality of life. The lack of effective solutions has led to protests and banging of pots and pans in various areas of the country.
How has the electricity crisis affected social cohesion in Cuba?
The electrical crisis has deepened the social fracture in Cuba, highlighting divisions and resentments among citizens from different regions. The situation has generated a call for empathy and unity, although it has also exacerbated historical tensions due to the perception of unequal treatment by the government.
Filed under:
