The British ambassador to Cuba, James Hooley, published a video on Instagram to celebrate his first year at the helm of the British diplomatic mission in Havana, and the most revealing phrase from the recap was that he had to learn "how many megawatts the embassy needs daily and what the SEN is."
The reel, recorded in Spanish, was published by the British Embassy in Havana and gathered over 10,000 views in just a few hours.
The mention of the SEN -National Electroenergy System- is not a minor detail: the video was published on the same day when the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, admitted that Cuba had "absolutely no fuel, no diesel, only accompanying gas."
The fact that the diplomatic representative of one of the most developed countries in the world has to manage the electricity consumption of their office like any Cuban summarizes, without the need for further words, the depth of the energy crisis plaguing the island.
Beyond the note about megawatts, Hooley dedicated the video to highlighting what has impressed him most about the Cuban people: "No one surpasses Cubans in resilience and creativity, and in trying to be happy even when it seems impossible."
The official also emphasized the level of art on the island: "In this country, one enjoys art of the highest standard as if the conditions for creation were not what they are."
On the bilateral front, Hooley mentioned concrete advances: "I have found areas of cooperation with the Cubans in climate change, science, the environment, and also with private enterprises that are driving this society forward."
He acknowledged that he has a long way to go: "I still have a lot to learn. I've left Havana, but I want to visit more places. I hope to be able to travel more around the island."
Regarding his Spanish, he was self-critical but optimistic: "I want to believe that my Spanish has improved. I keep trying so that I can converse with more Cubans."
This is the second public statement Hooley has made on social media since his arrival.
The first was on his 100 days in Cuba, in July 2025, when the embassy released a reel in which the diplomat explained that he was already mixing Cuban coffee with hot water to "stretch it out," and that he had adopted phrases like "let's go forward" and "I don't understand a word."
The approachable style, in Spanish and with a sense of humor, has made Hooley an unusual figure in the diplomatic landscape of Havana, receiving notable popularity among the Cuban public online.
The anniversary video closes with a powerful statement from the ambassador: "One year later, I know for sure. There is no place like this."
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