The UNE denies having called on Cubans to protest in the streets like in Nepal

The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) denied this Wednesday having called on the public to protest in the streets, after a message falsely attributed to the state company circulated on social media, referencing demonstrations similar to those that occurred in Nepal, where citizens voiced their opposition to corruption and the recent ban on social media.

The text circulated from a parody account mimicked the format of an official statement from the UNE. It indicated that the causes of the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, which led to the widespread blackout, were still under investigation.

The note ironically added: “Be very careful about going out into the street like the people in Nepal because there isn't enough space for so many people in Combinado del Este.”

Another message from that parody account also contained another mocking phrase: “Whatever you know fell, so you already know,” clearly referring to the collapse of the national electricity system.

The post quickly went viral in the context of a massive blackout that heightened social tension across the country.

The electric company responded with a statement in which it warned citizens about the existence of fake accounts spreading “misleading content” regarding the National Electric System.

In its statement, the UNE emphasized that only its official channels should be considered credible sources of information, and labeled the posts from the parody as "false."

The very fact that a joke of this nature must be denied by the regime demonstrates how much it worries about the crisis generating a greater social unrest that could lead the people to follow the example of Nepal, where the communist regime fell.

The general blackout on Wednesday, the fifth in a year, was caused by a fault at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant in Matanzas, due to a "false signal in the automatic system" that forced the suspension of its operations.

This situation led to the complete collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) and affected the entire country.

Subsequently, the regime announced the creation of "microsystems", small independent electrical circuits designed to keep strategic facilities, such as hospitals and water distribution centers, operational during a general blackout.

However, those in Havana failed shortly after their start and plunged the residents of the capital back into darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Electrical Crisis in Cuba and Citizen Reactions