The words of Miguel Díaz-Canel during the central event for July 26, in which he stated that the answer to "suffocation" is "the inventiveness, creativity, and joy of the Cuban people", sparked a wave of reactions among readers of CiberCuba on Facebook.
Far from identifying with that message, most of the comments resorted to irony to question the contrast between the official discourse and the daily hardships faced by millions of Cubans.
Yay! I'm happy, with no electricity, no water... yay! What joy! wrote an internet user, while another summarized the feelings of many with a question: What joy?.
The blackouts were one of the most frequently mentioned topics. "Oh yes, we have a tremendous joy. And when there's a blackout, it's even more so," joked one reader. Another commented: "Here I am happy as can be. It went out on the 26th, and with it the electricity... Nothing, just here creatively enduring".
Several users also mocked the leader's insistence on "creativity" as a response to the crisis. "Pinar, enjoy creativity with a side of happiness", wrote one. Another added: "What joy, what creativity", while a third summarized: "That's a joke".
Díaz-Canel's reference to "utopia", quoting the Uruguayan Eduardo Galeano, was also the subject of mockery. "Utopia has brought us much joy," commented a reader amidst laughing emojis. Another internet user sarcastically remarked: "When I want to laugh, joy takes ten steps towards the horizon," alluding to the well-known metaphor used by the leader.
Other messages directly questioned the ability of the designated ruler to understand the meaning of the word "joy" in the context of the crisis the country is experiencing.
Do you know the meaning of the word happiness?, asked a user. One commenter went further: "Here, the only feeling the people have is pain and despair. You have happiness, as you lack for nothing".
The situation in Pinar del Río, site of the official event, also appeared repeatedly in the responses. "Water in Pinar del Río is a utopia," wrote a reader. Another recalled that the province is "possibly one of the darkest in Cuba," referring to the prolonged power outages.
Even the image of the attendees at the event was used by some commentators to challenge the official narrative. "Although they shouted, joy is not visible", noted one user. Another added: "The young woman shows an expression of immense joy because when she gets home, she will be greeted by endless blackouts".
Although there were some humorous or simply incredulous comments, the dominant tone was one of sarcasm and rejection. Expressions such as "How funny", "I’m bursting with joy", "Dark humor", or "Joy... seriously?" were repeated throughout the conversation.
The reactions reflect the gap that many Cubans perceive between the official discourse and a reality marked by economic decline, inflation, food shortages, a lack of basic services, and the blackouts that continue to affect a good part of the country.
The phrase with which Díaz-Canel sought to emphasize the resilience of Cubans ultimately became, at least among the readers of CiberCuba, a catalyst for a flood of ironic responses that precisely challenge that optimistic view of reality in the midst of the national tragedy.
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