While entire neighborhoods of the capital remained without electricity on Thursday night, a party was being held at the Capri Hotel in Vedado, featuring loud music that sparked the outrage of neighbors and users on social media.
A video shared in the group of Facebook El Vedado today shows how, after 11 PM, the pool at the Capri Hotel was blasting music and throwing a party while the surrounding streets were engulfed in total darkness due to a power outage.
The neighbors reported that the noise was unbearable inside their homes, disrupting the rest of the elderly, children, and workers.
"The right to rest should be sacred, and it is not fair that the enjoyment of 30 or 40 people comes at the expense of hundreds," wrote a resident.
Several comments highlighted the inequality displayed in these scenes: “Joy for some—tourists or the privileged—and immense sadness for others, the ones who suffer the most,” noted a user.
Another summed it up like this: "I have never seen a government that shows such disdain for its people."
The lack of empathy and the contrast between a city in darkness and the celebration in a luxury hotel have turned the episode into a symbol of the crisis: while the majority endure long blackouts, a few enjoy unlimited electricity and noise.
Recently, the Ministry of Tourism issued a message directed at foreign visitors to convey "confidence and safety".
In a statement published on September 10 on Facebook, the entity assured that “the majority of our hotels and tourism services are equipped with electric generators and the necessary resources to operate normally,” ensuring that tourism facilities will not be affected by the power outage.
The contrast between the precarious situation of the population and the safeguards of the tourism sector once again highlights the government's priorities, which insist on protecting the country's image abroad while Cubans face food shortages, disruptions in basic services, and growing uncertainty about the stability of the electricity system.
However, the priority that the regime gives to tourism, even amidst widespread blackouts that have consistently affected the capital, is incomprehensible and unjustifiable when the sector is experiencing a crisis characterized by a drastic drop in visitors, low hotel occupancy, and a sustained loss of revenue.
However, this is not the first time that the Cuban government has explicitly told the world that it prioritizes the tourism business amid the energy crisis, above the well-being of the population.
In June, the Minister of Tourism of Cuba, Juan Carlos García Granda, publicly justified the protection of the hotel sector in the face of the energy crisis affecting the island.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País, the official assured that power outages do not affect tourism because hotels have their own generators, the result of significant state investment.
On the night of Thursday, October 2, protests were reported in Centro Habana, where residents took to the streets with pots and pans, chants of “Freedom!” and even bonfires in the middle of the street.
Several intersections were blocked in a peaceful protest, including the participation of minors.
The events occurred after one of the most critical days in the electricity supply, with outages lasting over 12 hours that affected a large part of the capital.
In addition to the lack of electricity is the water crisis, with entire neighborhoods going over a month without service, forcing residents to pay private water trucks at exorbitant prices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackouts in Havana and Their Impact on the Population
Why did the event at the Capri Hotel during the blackouts cause outrage?
The party at the Capri Hotel sparked outrage because while the majority of the population was without electricity, the hotel was celebrating an event with music at full volume, highlighting the inequality between the tourism sector and the rest of the citizens. Residents expressed their frustration on social media, pointing out the contrast between luxury for a few and darkness for the majority.
How does the Cuban government's energy policy affect the population during blackouts?
The energy policy of the Cuban government prioritizes the tourism sector, ensuring that hotels are equipped with electricity generators, while the population endures long blackouts and shortages of basic services. This situation has worsened the energy crisis and fueled social discontent, as citizens suffer the loss of food, interruptions in water supply, and increasing uncertainty.
What has been the response of the population to the prolonged blackouts in Havana?
The population in Havana has responded with protests, pot-banging, and street blockades due to prolonged blackouts, which have significantly affected their daily lives. Citizens have expressed their frustration on social media and in the streets, demanding immediate solutions to the collapse of the electrical system, which has left many without power or water for days.
What actions have the authorities taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
The authorities have implemented contingency measures such as the creation of "microsystems" and the use of generators in strategic sectors, but these actions have not been enough to address the underlying crisis. The lack of adequate investments and the aging of the electrical infrastructure have resulted in continuous outages and a feeling of neglect among the population.
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