The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel assured this Friday that the country has made progress in its energy strategy over the past month, despite the fact that the population continues to face prolonged blackouts and an economic crisis that leaves millions of Cubans struggling to meet their basic needs.
During an appearance in Havana, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that social unrest due to power outages is significant. "Undoubtedly, this is the issue causing the most discomfort, the most distress among our people at this time," he stated.
The president admitted that in several communities across the country, power outages have reached extreme levels. "We have had circuits in towns with more than thirty hours of blackout," he noted.
However, in his remarks, he emphasized that the government is achieving results and that there are advancements in the national energy strategy.
He assured that in the first months of the year, national production of oil and accompanying gas has increased, and electricity generation capacities have been recovered.
"185 megawatts of thermal generation have been recovered," Díaz-Canel stated, adding that a unit from the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant will soon be incorporated.
The ruler also defended the state-driven renewable energy program. He noted that solar parks are currently contributing between 49% and 51% of the electricity during the day.
"If we hadn't had the thousand megawatts of photovoltaic energy during these times, what would be happening during the day?" he wondered.
He also listed a long list of ongoing projects, including the installation of solar systems in homes and community centers, the incorporation of batteries to stabilize the electrical system, and the expansion of renewable energy in public institutions.
Díaz-Canel attributed the crisis to what the government calls the "energy blockade against Cuba" and defended the regime's management. "The government is not to blame, the revolution is not to blame; the blame lies with the energy blockade that has been imposed on us," he stated.
Nonetheless, the everyday reality of Cubans starkly contrasts with the picture painted by the official narrative.
In much of the country, power outages have become increasingly prolonged and unpredictable, affecting water supply, telecommunications, transportation, food production, and the operation of hospitals and essential services.
The ruler himself acknowledged that the impact is "tremendous" and that the electricity crisis affects every aspect of daily life.
At the same time, the serious economic situation keeps the majority of the population with insufficient wages in the face of rising inflation and increasingly high prices for food and basic goods.
While the government talks about investments in solar parks, electric cars, and new energy projects, millions of Cubans continue to face long hours without electricity, food shortages, lack of water, and a constant deterioration of their living conditions.
The gap between the "progress" announced by the authorities and the reality experienced by citizens has become one of the main factors fueling social discontent on the island.
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