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The Cuban actor Luis Alberto García published a message on his Facebook profile this Wednesday directed at the "mandantes"—an ironic term he uses to refer to the regime's authorities—in which he accused them of leaving the Cuban people "in the darkness of night" with a single directive: “screw you!”.
The full text of the post, published publicly, says: "My family and I are outraged with you. Look at how we are outraged! I have no adjectives or verbal flourishes in Spanish to convey so much affection. They left us in the darkness of night and only gave us one direction: 'screw you!'"
The message comes in the context of the most severe electricity crisis in recent Cuban history.
This Wednesday, the Electric Union reported only 1,020 MW of availability against a demand of 2,610 MW, with a forecasted deficit during the evening peak hours of 1,980 MW.
In Havana, power outages exceed 22 hours a day; in other regions, they can last for two consecutive days.
It is not the first time that García has reported the situation. On May 25, he revealed that he had been without electricity for 20 hours and stated that "the children are the ones who know how to suffer."
On May 27, he openly questioned: "Is there fuel or not? Are gasoline and oil ideological?" criticizing the use of resources for political events while the country remained in darkness.
On June 1, he described the weekend of blackouts —when the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant went offline from the National Electric System— as something "specially designed to register as a dissident."
Wednesday's post triggered an avalanche of reactions that reflect the mood of those experiencing the crisis from within.
"We have been without power for 22 hours; it's a pity they can't endure like we do," wrote a user.
Another added, "Not only are we without electricity, but now we’re drier than the Sahara Desert," referring to the water shortage that is added to the power outages.
A commentator drew a historical comparison: "More than 35 years ago in Eastern Europe, there were causes and conditions—Cuba today far surpasses them; none of those countries reached the level of dysfunction that exists in our country today. It is up to us to define, decide, and PUT AN END TO THIS TORTURE."
There were also those who warned García himself about the risks of being so open: "Oh Luisito, you're being sharp and dangerous. Take care, because those who left you in the dark have no compassion."
Others recognized him as the spokesperson for a generation: "Thank you. I wish we all had your courage; you have become the voice of the people."
A comment summed up with bitter irony the distance between the rulers and the ruled: "I think the geography is wrong... we live in one country and the government lives in another."
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