The Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac, known for his sharp social criticism, once again raised his voice on social media regarding the collapse of the electrical system in Cuba, a crisis that no longer distinguishes between provinces and the capital, plunging the entire country into unbearable darkness.
In a post published this Saturday on his Facebook profile, Toirac urged his fellow countrymen to unite and show empathy, after receiving criticism for sharing a video in which he complained about being unable to sleep due to the blackout.
His message is clear: "It's not a matter of 'you're privileged'; it's simply not right. None of it. Not 10 nor 30 hours of blackout."
The phrase encapsulates the feeling of frustration of a nation that is physically and emotionally exhausted, while the Government continues to offer no viable solution to the energy disaster it has caused.
"We're in the same boat, jone."
The artist lamented that in the face of widespread suffering, many Cubans choose to disqualify or minimize the pain of others based on where they live.
"When will we stop saying 'you all are fine', 'nothing happens to you all', 'you all live rich'?" she wonders.
Ulises called on his compatriots to unite and strive for the improvement of everyone equally.
"It cannot be that we are all in the same boat and that some criticize others for being at the bow or at the stern. We're all in the same boat, come on! Let's all pull in the same direction," he wrote.
His call comes amid a desperate context. While power outages in Havana have surged dramatically, the situation in the provinces is far worse: outages lasting more than 24 hours have become the norm, not the exception.
Havana is also darkening
This Friday, the Electric Company of Havana confirmed outages of up to 19 hours daily in the capital. Although the official schedule anticipated cuts of eight hours per block, in practice, they are tripled without any technical explanation.
The company's Facebook wall has turned into a wall of lamentations: complaints from neighborhoods that lose electricity three times in a single day, defrosted refrigerators, damaged electrical appliances, children crying from the heat, and elderly people on the verge of collapse.
Residents of Centro Habana, Arroyo Naranjo, and Boyeros report power outages at any hour of the day or night, often without prior warning.
"They're making a fool of us. They say they didn't cut it, and my refrigerator is spoiling," wrote one user. "They turned the electricity on, and ten minutes later, they turned it off again. This is no way to live," warned another resident.
In the provinces, the chaos is complete
But if the situation is already critical in the capital, in the rest of the country, desperation has reached unsustainable levels. Power outages exceed 24 hours in areas of Pinar del Río, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Granma, Las Tunas, and Sancti Spíritus.
In municipalities like Palmira, power outages have lasted up to 25 consecutive hours. In Bayamo, residents claim to have only one or two hours of electricity per day.
"They are killing us like dogs," denounced a resident of Campechuela. It is not just a strong expression; it is an accurate diagnosis of the total lack of protection that citizens are experiencing.
The social media channels of the Unión Eléctrica reflect a weary population. "This has gone out of control," "It's chaos," "I haven't seen electricity since yesterday," are just a few of the desperate comments flooding their posts.
Others demand the resignation of the Minister of Energy and Mines, whose management has been a complete failure.
A country on the brink of collapse
The energy crisis has ceased to be just a technical issue. With temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, water shortages, outbreaks of dengue and Oropouche virus, and the nearly nonexistent availability of medications, power outages pose a direct threat to public health.
Without electricity, there is no way to refrigerate food, preserve medications, or even turn on a simple fan. The nights are unbearable, especially for children, the elderly, and the sick.
Specialists warn that sleep deprivation caused by heat and mosquitoes has serious physical and mental consequences: chronic fatigue, anxiety, hormonal disorders, and weakening of the immune system.
A government disconnected from reality
While the people suffocate in darkness, the regime repeats empty promises and speeches disconnected from reality. The supposed "effort" to restore the National Electric System (SEN) is not translating into results.
The official reasons—lack of fuel, thermal power plants under maintenance, unexpected breakdowns—are no longer believed by anyone. The population demands action, not excuses.
And in the meantime, hotels, tourist areas, and luxury events are being prioritized. Citizens watch as their lives dim while the government looks the other way, unable—or simply uninterested—in providing real solutions.
"Can't sleep" is a national outcry
Ulises Toirac's complaint is not just a personal anecdote. It is the lament of an entire country. "I can't sleep," he said in his video, walking down a street in Havana, visibly upset. Millions join him in voicing their struggles, as they can no longer endure more nights without light, without a fan, without hope.
Today in Cuba, what is least in short supply is darkness. What is lacking —and urgently needed— is a way out, a government that governs, not one that condemns its people to endure endlessly. Because as Toirac himself said: “Neither 10 nor 30 hours of blackout are acceptable.” And it is also not acceptable for an entire country to have to live in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy and Social Crisis in Cuba
What has motivated Ulises Toirac's criticism of the blackouts in Cuba?
Ulises Toirac has harshly criticized the blackouts in Cuba due to their devastating impact on the daily lives of citizens, including the inability to sleep because of the heat and mosquitoes, the spoilage of food, and the disruption of essential services. His criticism also focuses on the lack of action and effective responses from the government, which seems disinterested in resolving the energy crisis.
How does the energy crisis affect public health in Cuba?
The energy crisis severely impacts public health in Cuba by hindering the refrigeration of medications and food, increasing thermal stress among the population, and facilitating outbreaks of diseases like dengue. Sleep deprivation caused by heat and mosquitoes also has physical and mental consequences, such as chronic fatigue and anxiety.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the blackouts?
The Cuban government has pledged to recover megawatts of electric generation in the coming years, but these promises have not translated into concrete solutions. The population continues to face prolonged blackouts, and the government prioritizes sectors such as tourism instead of ensuring energy stability for its citizens.
What is Ulises Toirac's stance on the Cuban government?
Ulises Toirac takes a critical stance towards the Cuban government, denouncing its disconnection from reality and its inability to resolve the energy and social crisis. He has emphasized the need for profound structural changes and has criticized the government's justifications, which he considers empty and detached from the true needs of the Cuban people.
Filed under: