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The publication of the article “Vicente de la O Levy: the person responsible for the energy collapse in Cuba” sparked a wave of comments on the social media of CiberCuba, a true reflection of the frustration of Cubans faced with an ongoing electrical crisis.
Although many readers agreed that the minister has lied and failed, the majority pointed higher: at the government, the system, and the communist model that has controlled the country for over six decades and perpetuates the collapse.
The digital debate, featuring hundreds of contributions, did not only focus on the minister but also on the power structure that supports him and to which he serves with indifference. Amid sarcasm, frustration, and anger, users demonstrated a consensus that spans generations: the issue is not one man, but the system that produces him.
"The culprit is the government, not the minister."
One of the most frequently repeated phrases in the comments was: "The culprit is the government, not him." For many Cubans, De la O Levy is merely an executor, an obedient spokesperson without any room for decision-making.
"In that regime, ministers cannot resign; they are replaced. They are all incapable and liars,” wrote a user, summarizing the perception that officials are interchangeable parts within an unbroken power machinery, controlled by the true leaders of the regime rather than by their nominal government subordinates led by the leader of "continuity," Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Another reader was even more direct: “The minister is just a messenger; the one who truly calls the shots is not visible”. The sentiment echoed in dozens of variations: “Don’t defend him, but don’t blame him either; the blame lies with the system”, “They placed him there to take the heat”, “He’s just repeating what he’s told from above”.
The pattern is clear: Cubans no longer expect technical solutions or believe in changes of ministers. What they identify as the root of the problem is the continuation of an authoritarian model that, they say, has destroyed the economy, infrastructure, and daily life.
"This comes from Fidel and Raúl."
Many comments went beyond the present. For a large number of participants, the current energy crisis is a direct consequence of decisions made since the 1960s.
“The one to blame for the collapse is Fidel Castro, not this man”, wrote a reader, while another added: “Ever since Fidel decided to nationalize everything, the disaster began. There was never any investment in thermal power plants, only in hotels and propaganda”.
Others recalled the so-called "Energy Revolution" of the 2000s, calling it an "expensive facade" that "only masked the problem."
“Fidel and Raúl left everything rotting. Now Díaz-Canel and his ministers are picking up the pieces,” summarized an internet user, with a tone of bitter irony.
There were also references to the “bearded stone,” “the Castro dictatorship,” and “the curse of continuity,” expressions that have become popular codes to refer to the true power of the regime, beyond the current names.
"Another scapegoat"
Several users interpreted the original statement as a political maneuver: "They've already found the scapegoat."
"Every time something goes wrong, they look for someone to blame.", wrote another, recalling the dismissal of previous ministers, such as the late former Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernández.
“They're going to remove him to pretend to be clean, but the system remains the same”. Others expressed it with humor: “Now it's his turn, tomorrow it will be someone else; the blackout continues”.
The expression "scapegoat" appeared more than twenty times in the comment threads, along with phrases like "pawn of the system," "puppet," "instrument," or "tool of the dictatorship."
This tone of suspicion also extended to the independent press: some misinterpreted the criticism from CiberCuba as part of an "operation" to distract attention from the true culprits.
"They blame the minister to protect the regime", accused a user, although most acknowledged that the article sought to open the debate on the political responsibility for the disaster.
"The people can’t take it anymore."
Beyond the political analysis, public outrage is palpable. The comments are filled with everyday stories of exhaustion, illness, heat, mosquitoes, and despair.
“We are sick, we cook with firewood, we sleep without a fan. We can’t take it anymore,” wrote a woman from Pinar del Río. “In Camagüey, we have been without power for 12 consecutive hours. The elderly are suffering, children are getting sick. It’s inhumane,” added another.
The blackouts, more than just a nuisance, are described as a symbol of the country's total collapse. "They have us living like in the Stone Age", "The blackouts kill just as much as hunger", "This is beyond words", the comments echoed.
There was also resignation: "It doesn't matter who is in charge, we will remain in the dark", "This issue is already disgusting", "Cuba is doomed to twilight".
"The communist system does not work."
If anything unified the digital conversation, it was the condemnation of the political system. "Communism yields no results, it never has," wrote one of the first commentators, followed by dozens of responses echoing the same sentiment.
“The problem is the entire Communist Party”, “The system is rotten”, “Change the political model and everything will be fixed”, were recurring phrases.
Several users compared Cuba to other countries: “Vietnam was destroyed by war and feeds us”, “Even Haiti lives better”, “No one can endure so much mistreatment”.
The word "dictatorship" appeared frequently, accompanied by calls for general resignation: "They all should go", "Díaz-Canel and all the ministers should resign", "Down with the PCC".
The collective tone was not only one of criticism but of accumulated frustration. What was once said in hushed tones is now openly published on social media.
"Nobody believes in anything anymore."
Amidst irony and disillusionment, many comments reflected a complete loss of trust in institutions and official narratives.
“They promised improvements in July, in October, in December... they always lie”, “They say these are scheduled blackouts, but the only program is disaster”, “Not even Mandrake the magician can fix this”, users mock.
Some, with dark humor, summarized the collective impotence: “Let everyone resign, turn off the entire country, and let us sleep peacefully.”
Others appealed directly to faith: “Only God can handle this”, “May heaven guide us, because the government cannot”.
An exhausted country, a speech in ruins
The balance of hundreds of comments leads to an unequivocal conclusion: Cubans no longer separate power outages from the political system that generates them.
De la O Levy is, for most, just the visible face of an unchanging structure, and his name becomes synonymous with a state that makes excuses, promises, and ultimately fails.
People do not debate whether they should resign: they discuss whether it makes sense to demand partial accountability in the face of the systemic failure of a regime that has held power for more than 60 years, violently imposing an ideology that only yields repressive and impoverishing policies.
Amid insults, pleas, and sarcasm, an unprecedented consensus emerges: the country lives in darkness, but the blindness is no longer that of the people, but of the power.
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