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The Electric Company of Pinar del Río has published a new announcement on Facebook that has sparked outrage among the citizens.
The message urges households not to immediately connect all appliances after the restoration of electrical service, in order to "prolong the lifespan of the transformers" and prevent breakdowns.
According to the note, the coinciding load prevents the equipment from quickly recovering its power, which could lead to further damage.
The recommendation, which seemingly calls for citizen collaboration, is nothing more than another attempt by the regime to shift the responsibility for a failing electric system onto the population that endures its consequences.
"After 19, 21, 26 hours without power, as soon as the poor electrical service arrives, which lasts 1 or 2 hours, one must take advantage of it to solve the problems created by the deficit," pointed out a teacher in the post.
"If there was more electricity, that wouldn't happen, but with 2 or 3 hours and 9 without any, you have to have the courage to call that a tremendous nonsense," questioned an elderly woman.
"Now it's us who are to blame for the breakdown, and if you don't hurry to cook, you'll be left with nothing you can do," complained a woman from Havana.
"Now we also have to take care of the transformers, the poles, the wires, and my equipment, which break with the plugging and unplugging and the low voltages. In the end, it turns out that the blackouts and breakdowns are my fault. What a nerve!" criticized a resident of Pinar del Río.
Instead of acknowledging the structural failures, lack of investments, and official negligence, the authorities insist on blaming the users, who are practically asked to forgo the normal use of electricity, even during the brief moments when it is available to them.
Background of a Recurring Practice
This is not the first time the Cuban government has resorted to such messages.
In October 2021, following the collapse of the National Electric System, the Electric Company in Santiago de Cuba warned on Telegram that the simultaneous connection of high-consumption devices could cause new blackouts.
The warning seemed to ignore the desperation of thousands of families who had been without electricity for over 72 hours and watched as the few foods they had managed to store in their refrigerators spoiled.
The notice at the time urged customers to "not connect high-consuming equipment" when power was restored, with the promise of preventing another system failure.
The measure was met with skepticism: how could one expect people not to turn on stoves and refrigerators when for many they were the only way to preserve food or prepare a hot meal after days without power?
A similar scenario occurred in Camagüey, where the provincial government of the People's Power used Facebook to alert that an overload could "trigger transformers" and cause even more disruptions.
The message included examples of what they classified as high-consumption appliances: air conditioners and electric stoves.
The irony was not lost: Cubans were being asked to do without the two essential devices needed to endure the sweltering heat and to cook.
This is not the first time that the regime's energy management has sparked ridicule and rejection.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the official newspaper Granma disseminated "suggestions" that included freezing bottles of water to keep them outside the refrigerator during the day and turning off lights during the applause at 9:00 PM.
Those measures, presented as technical solutions, only highlighted the State's inability to ensure a stable supply amid rising residential consumption.
The root of the problem
The common denominator in all these "recommendations" is the same government strategy: shifting the responsibility of a crisis-ridden system onto the citizens.
Instead of acknowledging that the prolonged blackouts are a result of lack of investment, deteriorating infrastructure, and inefficient management, it is insisted that consumers should alter their daily lives to save transformers that, under normal conditions, should be able to handle the usual load of households.
Meanwhile, Cuban families remain trapped in endless blackouts, spoiled food, unbearable heat, and the daily anxiety of not knowing when electricity will return.
In the face of this reality, the official messages calling to "connect gradually" are not only useless but also a demonstration of the authorities' contempt for the suffering of the population.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electrical Situation in Cuba
Why does the Electric Company ask not to connect all the equipment when the power is restored?
The Electric Company of Pinar del Río has requested that citizens refrain from plugging in all their appliances immediately after the restoration of electrical service to avoid overloads that could damage the transformers. This request has sparked outrage among citizens, who feel that the government is attempting to shift the responsibility of a crisis-ridden electrical system onto the population. It is argued that connecting all the devices at once could overload the system and damage the transformers, prolonging the blackouts.
What are the causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is due to a combination of factors, including a lack of investment in infrastructure, the deterioration of generation plants, and inefficient management. Additionally, there is a significant deficit in electricity generation due to breakdowns, lack of maintenance, and shortages of fuel and lubricants. These issues have been exacerbated by the lack of effective structural solutions and reliance on temporary contracts with external generators.
What has the Cuban government done to address the blackouts?
The Cuban government has implemented measures such as the sale of prepared food and has called on the population to limit the use of electrical devices during power outages. However, these actions have been met with skepticism and discontent from the public, who perceive a lack of lasting and effective solutions. The government initiatives have been seen as temporary fixes and have not succeeded in alleviating the frustration of citizens in light of the energy crisis.
How has the energy crisis affected the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis in Cuba has severely impacted the daily lives of citizens, complicating food preservation, access to water, the operation of hospitals and public services, and the execution of everyday activities. Cubans face long blackouts that interrupt their daily lives, creating stress, food loss, and unsanitary living conditions. The situation has led to increasing outrage and hopelessness among the population.
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