The Cuban government has achieved the impossible, turning the popular reaction to an electric outage into a masterclass of double meaning, technical confusion, dark humor, and national catharsis.
This time, the blackout came with a new name, the excitator, and it is generating a lot of buzz on social media due to the poor performance of this piece in Varadero.
Official media reported this week that the combined cycle of Energás Varadero has come offline from the Nationwide Electric System (SEN) due to a failure in the generator's exciter. The news was reported in a serious tone by journalist José Miguel Solís, due to the impact it has on people's quality of life.
However, the breakdowns of the thermoelectric plants are so frequent that Cubans did what they do best: mock the disaster of the SEN with sarcasm, irony, and good humor.
A governess educates, and a seductress... seduces
The post by activist Edmundo Dantés Junior asking “Who will tell me about the excitator?” was the spark that ignited an avalanche of jokes, memes, and both serious and improvised definitions, turning this electrical component into the viral character of the week in Cuba.
"The excitatrix is the actress who becomes aroused when her scar is touched," explained a commentator with technical precision.
Other users with a Ph.D. in "thermoelectric pathology" demonstrated their command of the new vocabulary associated with the concept of the blackout, asserting: "We know all the parts that can break and all the failures that may exist. And the ones we don't know... we make them up. Let's not say otherwise!"
Some Cubans tried to maintain their composure by seeking information on Wikipedia or ChatGPT to clarify that "the exciter is the system that supplies current to the generator rotor."
Another explained that the problem stemmed from a lack of maintenance on the part. "They didn't clean the tubes properly, and the exciter got damaged," but the warning arrived at Energás too late.
Some users turned to more explicit images, associating the piece with parts of human biology. “The exciter is key in the thermoelectric plant: if you don't touch it, it doesn't generate.”
The theories abounded and ranged from it being a new soap opera villain, a lost part of the Mecanismo de Antikythera, or the twin sister of the chumacera (bearing support or pedestal bearing).
Finally: "It's unclear whether she is an empress, a prostitute, or the first lady... but the drama of the SEN crisis in Cuba is exciting."
The government assures that the piece "is being investigated to assess its reintegration into the system." Meanwhile, in Cuba, we remain without electricity, and although the desire to love on this island is slowly fading, "thinking about the excitatrix" and the culprits of its state ignites our souls, sometimes making us laugh and other times not so much.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the "Excitatriz" Problem
What is the excitatriz and why has it become a viral topic in Cuba?
The exciter is an essential component that supplies current to the rotor of the generator in a power plant. It became a viral topic in Cuba due to a malfunction at Energás Varadero that affected the National Electric System (SEN). The public has reacted with humor and sarcasm to the situation, generating memes and ironic comments about the term "exciter".
How has the Cuban population reacted to the constant power outages?
Cubans have reacted with indignation and skepticism to the ongoing power outages and the technical explanations provided by the government, which they find unsatisfactory. Frustration has emerged on social media through criticism, memes, and sarcastic comments regarding the management of the national electrical system.
What is the impact of the energy crisis on the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis has severely impacted the daily lives of Cubans, with prolonged blackouts making it difficult to preserve food, get a good night's rest, and handle household tasks such as cooking. The lack of electricity adds to other issues like food shortages and gas scarcity, worsening living conditions in the country.
What solutions has the Cuban government proposed for the electricity crisis?
The Cuban government has proposed technical solutions and maintenance to address the electrical crisis, but the population remains skeptical about these measures due to the lack of concrete results. Official explanations are often perceived as excuses and fail to restore citizens' trust.
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