Díaz-Canel describes the Cubans in the western and central regions as "privileged" because they have electricity

Díaz-Canel highlights the energy inequality in Cuba by calling those with electricity "privileged." Meanwhile, the eastern region is facing severe damage following Hurricane Melissa.

Miguel Díaz-Canel during the Round Table discussion on October 29 in Havana.Photo © Facebook/Presidencia Cuba

The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel described the inhabitants of the west and center of the country as “privileged” for , in a comment that starkly portrays the precarious conditions in which millions of Cubans live.

During the Round Table on October 29, dedicated to assessing the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, Díaz-Canel led a meeting of the National Defense Council from the Palace of the Revolution and held a video conference with the authorities of the affected provinces.

The president assured that, following the activation of some power plants, "the west and center of the country will be favored" compared to the eastern territories.

“There will be some days when, if the plants that Vicente (De La O Levy) proposed to come online today hold up, the west and the center of the country will be in a better position compared to the situation we have experienced recently with the energy system,” the president stated.

The phrase, delivered in an apparently explanatory tone, summarizes the structural collapse of the Cuban electrical system, where turning on a light bulb or preserving food has become a luxury.

Instead of announcing solutions or relief measures, Díaz-Canel normalized inequality and misery, admitting that simply having electricity is now a privilege.

A country in ruins after the passage of Hurricane Melissa

The comment came as the eastern provinces are still assessing the damage caused by the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa, which severely impacted homes, crops, electrical grids, and communication systems.

According to the authorities, Melissa caused the fall of hundreds of power poles, the collapse of transformers, and significant losses in agriculture and basic infrastructure.

The images circulating on social media show entire communities underwater, impassable roads, and a population desperate due to a lack of water and food.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.