The Cuban Electric Company (UNE) has announced power outages for Tuesday, August 13, the birthday of the late dictator Fidel Castro. Meanwhile, the regime of his successors is projecting an image of Castro in the so-called ‘Plaza de la Revolución’.
The government of "continuity" led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, which had promised a summer without blackouts after half a year of maintenance and repairs to the thermal power plants, has failed to keep its promise. July and the beginning of August have been a nightmare for the vast majority of Cubans, who have not enjoyed a single summer day without interruptions in power supply.
Despite the broken promises, the regime has shown that it prioritizes propaganda to maintain its grip on power over the well-being of the Cuban people. This was evident in the tower of the Plaza (known as the “raspadura”), where powerful spotlights projected Castro's image.
This Monday, “service was affected by a generation capacity deficit throughout the day,” stated UNE in its social media update. It appears that the state-run company, led by Alfredo López Valdés, made a communication slip and published the report for the previous day (August 12), instead of the one for Tuesday.
This issue is minor, considering that UNE's credibility is already in tatters, and blackouts continue to occur in quantities impossible for Cubans to measure, forcing them to rely on UNE's forecasts.
It matters little if the state monopoly forecasts disruptions of 390 MW for Tuesday, August 13. Whether it’s 10 or 1,000 MW, there will be no way to verify the accuracy of the company's reports.
FAQs on Cuban Power Outages and Government Propaganda
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the ongoing power outages in Cuba and the government's use of propaganda, especially in the context of Fidel Castro's legacy.
Why are power outages frequent in Cuba?
The frequent power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a generation capacity deficit and aging infrastructure, compounded by inadequate maintenance and repairs.
Has the Cuban government fulfilled its promise of a summer without blackouts?
No, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel has not fulfilled its promise of a blackout-free summer, despite extensive maintenance and repair efforts.
How does the Cuban government use propaganda in relation to Fidel Castro?
The Cuban government frequently uses propaganda to maintain its hold on power, including projecting images of Fidel Castro, especially on significant dates like his birthday.