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Miguel Díaz-Canel stated on social media that he was surprised that “a high-ranking official of the United States government” denied the existence of a supposed “energy blockade” against Cuba and claimed that the regime is responsible for the crisis on the island. These statements were in response to recent comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described the Cuban government as a “failed state” led by “incompetent communists” and denied the existence of a U.S. oil embargo against Cuba.
The post, far from garnering support, ended up unleashing a torrent of criticism from Cubans who directly blamed him for the blackouts, inflation, shortages, and lack of freedoms in the country.
One of the most repeated messages directly questioned the legitimacy of the Cuban ruler: “It’s surprising that they call you president when no one elected you, when there have been no elections since '59.”
Many users rejected the attempt to portray Marco Rubio's criticisms as an attack on the Cuban people and clarified that the remarks were aimed at the government. "Sorry, they are not blaming the Cubans. The incompetence lies with the government and its single party," wrote one user. Another comment summarized the same sentiment: "It's not the incompetence of the Cubans, but that of our leaders. The people are not at fault for the disaster you have created."
The energy crisis dominated much of the responses. Dozens of Cubans reported prolonged blackouts in provinces like Granma, including Manzanillo, in a context marked by power cuts lasting up to 20 and 25 hours daily in various areas of the country. "I just know that I've been without power for 28 hours, and every second I remain without electricity, I think about all of you disappearing," commented one user. Another wrote: "In Granma, we've been without power for over 30 consecutive hours, and then the 'alumbrón' doesn't even last three."
There were also numerous complaints about the decline in the standard of living and the economic collapse. "It’s surprising that today a loaf of bread costs 40 Cuban pesos, a pizza 300, and a package of imported chicken 4,800 Cuban pesos while salaries remain laughably low," noted a netizen. Others questioned why basic products like gas canisters are sold in dollars within Cuba: "Is the sale of gas canisters in dollars also due to the blockade?" asked one of the most shared comments.
The lack of political freedoms was another central theme. “Free elections and freedom of expression. The people have the right to choose their own destiny,” a user demanded. Another wrote: “What is surprising is that you continue to cling to power instead of allowing the people to be free.”
Several comments sarcastically referred to the constant official references to the U.S. embargo and the so-called “energy blockade.” “We’re blocked, but ships from Russia and Mexico have come in. Why don’t they buy oil instead of asking for it to be given for free?” questioned a Cuban. Others recalled the Venezuelan oil that had been sent to the island for years and asked what happened to those resources amid a significant decline in fuel imports to Cuba.
The outrage was also directed at the official discourse regarding the supposed resilience of the system. “What a weak text. I am always struck by how easily some speeches manage to turn 65 years of disaster into a one-line explanation,” wrote one user. Another comment stated: “You are exhausting. It’s the same whine every day.”
Some messages mixed dark humor with references to the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. "Say the magic words, the same ones Maduro said: 'Come for me,'" dozens of comments repeated. Others wrote phrases like "Tick tock, tick tock" or "They are coming," clearly alluding to a possible end to the current Cuban government.
There were also direct criticisms regarding the contrast between the lives of the ruling elite and the struggles of ordinary citizens. "It’s surprising that you have a private jet, that your power doesn’t go out, while the people are starving," wrote a user. Another added, "Cuban people can’t even go to Varadero, and you all live surrounded by luxury."
Among the hundreds of responses, there were also calls for deep economic reforms and genuine political openness. "If you want to save the country, allow more economic freedom, fewer obstacles, more production, and respect for civil rights," commented one internet user.
In the midst of a severe economic and energy crisis, marked by prolonged blackouts, inflation, shortages, and a growing deterioration of basic services, Díaz-Canel's publication ended up becoming a barometer of the social discontent sweeping the country. Rather than responding to Marco Rubio's statements, hundreds of Cubans used the comments section to directly question the government's management, denounce the loss of purchasing power, demand free elections, and reject the official narrative that has attributed the crisis primarily to the U.S. embargo for decades. The prevailing tone of the responses reflected not only fatigue and frustration but also an increasing disconnection between the official discourse and the everyday reality of a significant portion of the Cuban population.
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