Related videos:
Cubans have reacted with indignation and frustration to the recent publications by the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) and the official outlet , which reproduced statements from the state-owned company regarding the alleged “critical” nature of the weekend and the responsibility of the “financial blockade” for the massive blackouts the country has been experiencing.
Reactions began on the profile of , where an interview with Omar Ramírez Mendoza, deputy director of UNE, was shared, stating that "the electrical system endured a critical weekend." The use of the past tense triggered a wave of sarcastic comments and anger from users who were still without electricity at that time.
"Did it live? It’s still not over; we’ve been without power since Friday," wrote a reader. Another commented, "It wasn't a critical weekend; it was a critical eternity." A third person sarcastically added, "Of course, you’re in air conditioning while the people are burning. It's easy for anyone."
Other messages directly questioned the state media: “Cubadebate, be serious. If you are going to report, do it with respect for the people. We are not talking about politics, we are talking about hunger, heat, and darkness.”
“Without foreign currency, there is no light”: the new justification from UNE
Hours later, the UNE published on its official Facebook page another statement in which it attributed the collapse of the electrical system to the financial blockade by the United States.
"The National Electric System suffers from a visible symptom of an external financial cause: the blockade that prevents Cuba from freely managing the monetary resources necessary to purchase fuel, spare parts, and technical services," the text stated, emphasizing: "Without foreign currency, there is no fuel; without foreign currency, there is no maintenance; without foreign currency, there is no modernization. Without an end to the financial blockade, there will be no permanent energy stability."
That post sparked even more comments. “The blockade no longer convinces anyone,” wrote one user. Another replied, “If the blockade existed when there was electricity, why doesn’t it now?” A netizen pointed out, “It’s always the same story. And what about the money from Russia, Qatar, and China? Where is it? Who is accountable for that?”
"They talk about the blockade, but the real blockade is the one you impose on the lives of the people," wrote one user. A comment among the most shared read: "The problem isn't the blockade; it's the shamelessness. They have no shame in repeating the same things when the people are in darkness and hunger."
"She experienced a critical weekend"... and the country remains in the dark
Many Cubans also mocked the phrase used by the UNE in its first statement: “experienced a critical weekend.” “That sounds like it’s already over, and here we are still without electricity,” wrote one person. Another message said: “‘Experienced’... that must be you all, because the people are still living through the blackout.”
Some recalled reports of entire provinces experiencing over 40 hours without electricity: "What weekend? It never ends."
Fatigue and calls for transparency
Among the comments, calls for accountability and transparency are recurring. “Say how the dollars entering through the MLC stores and ETECSA are being spent,” a user requested. Another was more direct: “It’s not the blockade; it’s the diversion. What’s blocked is the mind of those in charge.”
Several Cubans also pointed out the contrast between the lives of officials and those of the people: “They are in air-conditioned offices, and we are sleeping on the floor because of the heat. It’s easy for them to handle the blackouts.”
Protests and desperation
Discontent on social media coincided with new night protests in various parts of the country, especially in Marianao, where residents took to the streets banging pots and lighting fires. Videos posted by the rapper El Funky showed dozens of people demanding the restoration of electricity. "The people of Marianao know what to do when the power goes out," the artist wrote.
Casserole protests were also reported in Regla, La Lisa, Alamar, and the University of Camagüey. The blackout on Monday was the most severe of the year, affecting 62% of the country and with a deficit exceeding 2,000 MW, according to official data, which confirmed the highest level of national impact reported in 2025.
"The strongest blockade is the internal one."
The most shared comments summed up the general sentiment of Cubans: disbelief, mockery, and exhaustion. “They don’t even have shame left,” wrote one person. “The strongest blockade is the internal one,” read another message. One user concluded: “If the blockade is the problem, then there will never be light, because they’re not going to lift it. Is that the solution? To live in eternal blackout?”
While the UNE blames the blockade and the official media repeat the script, Cubans respond from the shadows, with candles, pots, and words that illuminate their frustration.
Filed under: