The deep energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing continues to generate outrage among citizens, especially in the interior provinces.
This time, a woman from Limonar, Matanzas, is denouncing on social media power outages lasting up to 22 consecutive hours, a situation that, according to her, is not occurring elsewhere in the country.
Odalys Calero, through a post on Facebook, expressed her frustration over the prolonged power outage in her area:
"Attention Cuba! Limonar has been without electricity for 22 consecutive hours, and they only supply it for 50 minutes... and no one tell me it's all of Cuba, that's a lie! In other provinces, the outages are much shorter and scheduled; here, the hours are absolutely excessive and the disorder is outrageous," he expressed.
The woman reported not only the frequency and intensity of the power outages but also what she considers a lack of equity in the distribution of the service, questioning whether the residents of Limonar do not deserve the same treatment as citizens of other regions.
"Are we not Cubans too? This is cruel, disrespectful to the people who suffer day after day without being able to eat, bathe, or carry out any normal chores at home or anywhere else. If it's fair for all of Cuba: perfect. If it's the law of the funnel: NO!" he emphasized.
Calero concluded his message with a direct appeal to the authorities to listen to the people's outcry: "The people are tired, pay attention to the feelings of the people. A Cuban from Limonar and from Cuba."
A shared discomfort: resentment and divisions over power outages
Odalys's complaint is not an isolated incident. The feeling of inequality regarding power outages has been a source of tension and public debate on the Island.
Last March, a controversial comment from a citizen of Cienfuegos, Mercedes Pérez, went viral after she expressed her satisfaction with the blackouts in Havana, seeing them as a way to "compensate" for what happens in the provinces.
Although his words generated a wave of criticism for their lack of empathy, he also received support from some users who share the frustration over what they consider preferential treatment towards the capital.
The reaction was immediate: many defended the unity among Cubans and recalled that the true culprit of the crisis is the political system, not the citizens from other provinces.
"The people of Havana are not responsible for the things your president does; we're in the same situation. I went three days without electricity, and they cut it off here every day too. Your president has electricity, but we do not," expressed a woman.
"That hatred is part of what has us in this situation. Madam, take it out on the government, which is to blame, not the people of Havana," wrote a father.
Havana vs. the Rest of the Country: A Historic Divide
The indignation of citizens in provinces like Matanzas or Cienfuegos has a deeper background: the certainty that Havana receives preferential treatment in the distribution of electricity.
This feeling has intensified as power outages in the provinces extend to 18, 20, and even more than 22 hours, while in the capital, the outages tend to be shorter and more scheduled.
A clear example occurred in July of last year, when a state-run newspaper from Havana announced power outages under the title: "A Gesture of Solidarity from Havana for Cuba".
The reaction from Cubans was so critical and sarcastic that the outlet was forced to change the headline to: "Acting with greater responsibility to contribute to the country's efforts."
This idea of "solidarity blackouts" in the capital was seen by many as a cynical attempt to disguise a structural inequality in the electricity supply.
"The four hours that are taken away from Havana are the ones that the hero city can enjoy while the rest of the day is spent in darkness," a Santiago resident joked on social media.
Complaints about consumption and favoritism
Other citizens, such as user Pedro de Jesús López Acosta, have reported that Havana might be consuming up to 25% of the entire country's electricity, while the provinces endure prolonged and almost daily blackouts.
In a post, López Acosta described the situation as a display of "shamelessness" and criticized the lack of empathy from the authorities, who justify the cuts in the capital as "emergencies", while ignoring the reality in the interior of the country.
This scenario has exacerbated social divisions and widespread discontent, revealing how an energy crisis has exposed the weaknesses of the management model in Cuba.
The regime's centralism, which has historically prioritized the capital due to its political and diplomatic significance, has created a feeling of neglect among millions of Cubans living outside of it.
More than light: inequality, neglect, and frustration
What is currently experienced with the blackouts is not just an electricity crisis: it is a deep reflection of a divided and worn nation, where citizens face shortages of food, medicine, drinking water, and now also electrical service.
The words of Odalys Calero, from a forgotten corner of Matanzas, resonate like an echo of widespread discontent:
"This is cruel... This is the law of the funnel," he said.
Their claim joins that of thousands of Cubans who demand fair treatment, energy justice, and respect for human dignity.
In a Cuba where darkness is not only physical but also social and political, voices like yours are beacons of a truth that many can no longer ignore—or choose not to.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why are there prolonged blackouts in Cuba?
The prolonged blackouts in Cuba are a result of a deep energy crisis, exacerbated by the deterioration of electrical infrastructure, lack of maintenance in thermoelectric plants, fuel shortages, and poor government planning. The situation has intensified over time, leaving citizens to endure long periods without electricity.
Why is there a perceived unequal treatment in electricity distribution between Havana and other provinces?
The perception of unequal treatment in electricity distribution is due to the fact that in Havana, power outages are shorter and planned, while in other provinces, cuts can last up to 22 hours. This situation generates outrage and discomfort among the residents of the provinces, who feel that the capital receives preferential treatment, reflecting the regime's centralism that prioritizes Havana due to its political and diplomatic significance.
What impact do blackouts have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, hindering basic tasks such as cooking, washing clothes, preserving food, and accessing essential services. The lack of electricity also complicates work, education, and healthcare, creating an environment of stress and physical and emotional exhaustion among the population.
How do Cubans react to the energy crisis and power outages?
The reaction of Cubans to the energy crisis is one of indignation, frustration, and despair. Many express their discontent on social media, denouncing the lack of concrete solutions from the government, while others try to adapt to the situation by sharing resources such as electric generators and showing solidarity with their neighbors.
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