The Cuban Union of Young Communists (UJC) published this Sunday on its official Facebook page a 29-second video inviting Cubans to enjoy the summer and "recharge their energy," while the country faces the worst electrical crisis in its history, with blackouts exceeding 20 hours a day.
The message from the youth organization and one of the transmission pulleys of the Communist Party emphasized: "Summer has arrived, the most anticipated season of the year! Sun, beach, music, friends, and the perfect time to relax and recharge."
The post, tagged with the hashtag #VeranoConMiGente, garnered nearly 6,000 views and 248 comments just a few hours later, the vast majority of which were filled with irony and disapproval.
The contrast with reality could not be more brutal. On June 25, the national electricity deficit reached a historic record of 2,208 MW, with only 1,015 MW available against a demand of 3,150 MW.
The public reaction in the comments was one of outrage. "There is no more cynical and cruel way to mock the Cuban people than this post," wrote a user.
Another remarked sarcastically, "A summer completely dull and the cap on the doorknob without transport," while a third pointed out, "Party and fun!... and misery."
Various comments appealed to irony to illustrate the gap between the official narrative and everyday life. "As they lie on social media. They talk about a Cuba in need, without electricity, without fuel, not even for public transport... but looking at this ad from the UJC, everything mentioned before must be anti-Cuban propaganda," wrote an internet user with evident sarcasm.
Another was more direct: "I have no doubt that you all live in a parallel universe."
"Everything is a choreography of lies to make the world see that life is normal," summarized a Cuban in the comments on the UJC's post.
The publication by the UJC is not an isolated incident. It is part of a systematic pattern by the authorities to project normalcy and celebration while the population endures an unprecedented crisis.
The state press announced on Saturday a summer "full of activities" in Guantánamo, a province with numerous damaged transformers lacking spare parts and experiencing blackouts of up to 30 continuous hours.
At the end of May, the regime organized the Summer Start 2K26 party in Varadero with 72 hours of music, guaranteed electricity, and VIP tables for $600, while the rest of the country endured power outages lasting up to 50 hours.
The Popular Camping is fully booked until August in Holguín and Matanzas, but neither province can guarantee transportation due to a fuel shortage.
A few days ago, the Canal Caribe of the official television aired a video in which the Director of Content and Programming of Cuban Television, Coralia Aguilera Hernández, introduced the "summer programming schedule for the enjoyment of the whole family". The response on social media was a flood of mockery, outrage, and sarcasm.
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