The Cuban singer Aymée Nuviola shared a powerful reflection on the political impact of portable energy devices in Cuba, where blackouts are endless. According to the artist, the EcoFlow —widely sent by the exile community to alleviate power outages— ultimately operates as an involuntary mechanism of social demobilization.
“Now I have the EcoFlow, I connect the TV, connect the cell phones, a fan, and I've sorted out my life. I’m not going beyond that,” said Nuviola in an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, on the occasion of the release of her latest album, recorded at the world’s jazz cathedral, Ronnie Scott's. The singer argued that those who receive these devices stop feeling the urge to go out: “Why should I get worked up protesting or going out into the streets?”
But the paradox doesn't end there. Those who do not have access to an EcoFlow also do not protest, although for opposite reasons. "Those who don't have it sometimes don't even have the strength to protest. In other words, things are tough."
For Nuviola, both scenarios are the result of the same process of degradation imposed by the Cuban regime. "That system has been nullifying people. It takes away the desire to move forward, to live. There is nothing there; all there is to do is survive," she stated. The artist described a spiral of resignation. "They adjust further down, further down, but they adapt."
The singer was careful not to pass judgment on those who do not go out to protest. "One can't just judge whether they are cowards or not. That's not for me to decide. But I don’t know what I would have done if I had been there now," she candidly admitted.
This reflection occurs in the context of the worst energy crisis in recent Cuban history, with blackouts lasting between 20 and 32 hours daily in some areas. In August 2026, the generation deficit exceeded 2,400 MW, and in March, the sixth nationwide blackout was recorded within 18 months.
The EcoFlow sent by the exile costs between 549 and over 1,150 dollars depending on the model, amounts that are unattainable for the vast majority of Cubans on the island.
Nuviola also addressed the growing international interest in the situation in Cuba. She recalled that in the past, when she discussed the topic in foreign media, she received hostile reactions. "I remember once in Uruguay on a radio program, a man asked me if I was like Gloria Estefan and Willy Chirino, who would speak poorly of Cubans," she shared. Her response was straightforward: "No, I am not like anyone. I come to talk about the reality of my country because that's what I was asked. I come to bring my music, but if I need to speak the truth about my country, I have to do that."
According to the artist, that climate has changed significantly. Today, international journalists no longer avoid the topic. “Now you go to places and they start asking you, but the question has a different focus. How do you see it? What do you think about the situation with the government? The Cuban dictatorship. They themselves are already directing the conversation that way.”
On the other hand, Nuviola pointed out that in Spain, she perceives a "fairly strong Christian awakening in recent times," which, in her opinion, contributes to more people clearly seeing the political reality of countries like Cuba. "There is a global awakening, and that is biblical," she asserted.
It is not the first time that Nuviola speaks plainly about the regime. In May 2026, she stated that Raúl Castro "needs to be removed by force," and in February, she called Díaz-Canel's speech a "lie."
The interview with Tania Costa this Monday was held to mark the release of her live album, recorded at the legendary London club Ronnie Scott's, making Nuviola the first female Cuban solo artist to achieve this.
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