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The Growing Electrical Crisis in the Isle of Youth has sparked an unprecedented movement of citizen discontent that goes beyond mere complaints about power outages.
In recent hours, social media users have begun to spread messages calling for the independence of this Cuban territory, demanding their own republic, free from the control of the central government in Havana.
Everything dates back to the beginning of the scheduled power outages that started after the visit of the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to the special municipality, who traveled to the island accompanied by commander Ramiro Valdés -leading the "recovery" strategy of the National Electric System- to attend the main event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the release of the dictator Fidel Castro from the model prison.
Although historically the Island had managed to maintain energy stability thanks to its independent generation system, for the past two weeks the residents of Pine Island have been facing interruptions of up to five hours daily, with no clear pattern or solutions in sight.
Citizen testimonies suggest that the decline began when "two generators were taken to Havana," according to rumors circulating among the population. Since then, discontent has been on the rise.
"You can't even sleep or cook here. Everyone is outraged," assured a resident in messages shared on social media. "It's not just about the electricity anymore. It's the dengue, the food, the insecurity... we are tired."
The situation has led to symbolic protests and viral comments. One of the most shared was from the user @SanMemero on X: “Amid all this, something is starting to shift within the Isle of Youth, and there are calls for the independence of Cuba.”
Although it initially sounded like irony, the subsequent messages reflect a build-up of tension.
In anonymous posts shared in groups like 'Revolico Isla de la Juventud', there are calls to "form an autonomous republic," "allow free trade," and even "dollarize the local economy." Others propose agreements with the Cuban government to permit administrative and economic autonomy for the territory.
Simultaneously, local activists like Jaguar Junglas are denouncing the critical conditions: "More than 5 hours without electricity, with no answers. Mosquitoes are swarming, and dengue is imminent. Are they waiting for deaths to take action?" Their posts have gone viral, accompanied by calls to action and to break the silence.
Distrust towards local and national authorities has grown, fueled by the contrast between recent promises of energy stability and a reality that increasingly diverges from that narrative.
Authorities have advised the public to unplug appliances and keep lamps charged, but for many, these are not solutions, but rather temporary fixes in the face of an imminent collapse.
Meanwhile, discontent is transforming into organization. For the first time in decades, serious discussions about independence are taking place on the Island. And although it remains a marginal expression, the social and economic context seems to be driving many people from Pine Island to envision a future beyond the oversight of the Cuban State.
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