The promise to protect strategic circuits "with the collective well-being in mind" was short-lived. Just days after the Electric Company of Granma announced the preservation of key lines to ensure communications in several municipalities, authorities now report that they will proceed to disconnect prioritized circuits, including residential and private customers, amid the worsening energy crisis.
According to a report from CNC TV Granma, the National Office for the Control of Rational Energy Use (ONURE) in the province has adopted new measures to address the "critical energy situation" facing the country.
The provincial director of the agency, Laid Rodríguez Lara, explained on the program Perspectiva that the measure is part of a strategy to distribute the available load “equitably” and minimize the impact on basic services.
The decision involves the disconnection of circuits that had previously been considered prioritized, affecting both residential customers and private entities. Rodríguez Lara emphasized that oversight of the consumption by the new economic players will be strengthened, and they will need to strictly adhere to current regulations. He also assured that electricity supply will be prioritized for social and health institutions while maintaining ongoing monitoring of both state and private consumption.
The announcement contrasts with what was recently reported by the Empresa Eléctrica de Granma, which, in coordination with ETECSA, had assured the protection of strategic circuits in municipalities such as Niquero, Media Luna, Bartolomé Masó, Río Cauto, and Bayamo to maintain connectivity and sensitive services like the provincial Blood Bank. At that time, there was discussion of technical variations and partial or total protection strategies to sustain the service.
The new regulation highlights the accelerated deterioration of the national electrical system, characterized by historic generation deficits, breakdowns in outdated thermal power plants, and a lack of fuel. During the recent peak hours, electricity availability was well below demand, causing widespread outages throughout the country.
While provinces like Granma are announcing more restrictions and blackouts that will even affect previously protected circuits, in Holguín, a hotel managed by the military conglomerate GAESA promoted a special beach dinner with full lighting and a festive atmosphere for foreign tourists.
The images of Hotel Playa Pesquero, featuring elegantly decorated tables and luxury service by the sea, sparked outrage on social media due to the contrast with entire neighborhoods that remain in the dark for hours.
For many Cuban families, the disconnection of prioritized circuits means losing the few certainties that remained amid electrical instability, such as preserving food, charging phones to communicate with relatives abroad, or ensuring minimal conditions for sick individuals at home.
The official narrative insists on speaking about equity and collective well-being, but in practice, the gap between privileged sectors and the general population is becoming increasingly evident.
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