A neighbor from J Street in the La Cuchilla neighborhood of Palma Soriano (Santiago de Cuba) has contacted CiberCuba to report that they have been experiencing a blackout for 15 days.
After an initial breakdown, workers from the Electric Union (UNE) came to the village and declared the issue resolved, but the transformer exploded following their intervention. Since then, no matter how many times the neighbors call Santiago de Cuba, they receive the same response on the other end of the line: that the breakdown has already been addressed. Beatriz Johnson herself, the first secretary of the PCC, promised to visit La Cuchilla on Saturday, but she has not been seen there.
In an audio message sent to CiberCuba, a resident of La Cuchilla describes the magnitude of the tragedy faced by families in the area after more than two weeks without electricity, and demands a response from the authorities. "There are small children here, and the situation is desperate," she said.
Johnson has previously traveled through Palma Soriano, such as when in July 2024 she participated in agricultural work in the El Sitio area. But now, amidst the blackout in La Cuchilla, she was expected for Saturday, and this Monday there was no sign of the leader.
The report from La Cuchilla comes amid a new critical phase for the National Electroenergy System. On September 24, CiberCuba reported that Cuba started the day with just 837 MW available against a demand of 2,524 MW, while it was projected that during peak hours there would be an impact of 2,133 MW.
Electrical issues coincide with the deterioration of other basic services in Palma Soriano. This very week, CiberCuba reported the complaint of residents of Los Cocos Street, who claim to have gone more than six months without regularly receiving water through the pipes and depend on tankers for their supply.
In La Cuchilla, however, residents report a specific problem that remains unresolved: a fault following the transformer explosion, 15 days without electricity, and a visit from the highest political leader of Santiago de Cuba that, according to testimonies received by CiberCuba, they are still waiting for.
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