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The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel faced a barrage of criticism on social media after publicly celebrating Cuba's second victory in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
In his Facebook account, the president wrote: “What a way to start the tournament! Second victory for the #Cuba team in the #VWorldClassic. Our players make us dream and are just one win away from advancing to the next phase. They have gone out to proudly defend those four letters at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico.”
However, instead of generating enthusiasm, the publication quickly became filled with critical and ironic comments, many of them related to the severe energy crisis the island is experiencing.
Among the messages left by users, phrases such as: “Do you actually have electricity?” stood out, referring to the prolonged blackouts suffered by millions of Cubans.
O: "Canel says that if any player dedicates a victory upon arriving in Cuba, he'll set up an electric panel."
"Our 'presi' had power to watch the game; I was resisting the blackout with creativity," wrote one user, while another advised: "Better worry about where to hide."
Other comments even mixed political criticism with sports sarcasm, pointing out that the government's attention should be focused on the country's situation.
Energy crisis and discontent
The reactions reflect the accumulated discomfort of the population, which is facing prolonged blackouts and a severe economic crisis. In recent years, Cuba has experienced power outages that in some areas exceed 18 or even 20 hours a day, due to the deterioration of the energy system and fuel shortages.
These types of responses are not isolated incidents. Each official publication from the government tends to act as a barometer of social discontent, especially when the official discourse contrasts with the challenging daily reality of the citizens.
As the Cuba team seeks to progress in the World Baseball Classic, the debate on social media highlights the deep disconnect between the power's rhetoric and the daily concerns of many Cubans, marked by shortages, blackouts, and the economic crisis facing the country.
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