During a visit to Najasa, a municipality in Camagüey, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the severe energy crisis impacting the nation. He acknowledged the hardships faced by residents, particularly the lengthy power outages, while surrounded by a substantial entourage of security personnel, officials, and media, along with a few locals from the town of over 15,000 people.
In an effort to placate a weary population, Díaz-Canel, who also serves as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, expressed on TV Camagüey that enduring 20-hour blackouts is excessive. He claimed that improvements were imminent, citing the expected operation of the Guiteras and Felton power plants by the weekend.
On February 7, the day of Díaz-Canel's visit, the national electrical system was crippled with seven thermoelectric units out of service, forecasting disruptions totaling 1,436 MW. An additional malfunction at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant prevented its synchronization with the national grid, unlike the Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) plant in Holguín, which managed to connect.
Despite the deepening crisis, Díaz-Canel promised swift enhancements through the integration of new generation facilities and solar parks. He mentioned that by February 21, the first two photovoltaic parks would commence operations, with six more expected in March, projecting over 1,000 megawatts from solar energy by year-end.
While Cubans endure extreme blackouts, the government continues to invest in propaganda and maintain a privileged elite unaffected by the energy crisis, evident from their frequent travels and air-conditioned meetings. These actions contrast starkly with the image portrayed by official media.
Despite the poor infrastructure and shortages faced by residents, Díaz-Canel remarked that "the community appears very organized, beautiful, and clean." He interacted with a local schoolboy, inquiring about his education.
His statements, marked by a lack of enthusiasm, included vague promises of gradual street and sidewalk repairs, urging the community to continue their efforts and proposals for annual planning, limited by available resources.
The Decline of Najasa: From Prosperity to Struggle
Before 1959, Najasa was part of the Camagüey municipality, with an economy thriving on livestock and sugar production. The Central Najasa sugar mill provided employment for thousands, contributing to the region's development. In the 1950s, Camagüey boasted nearly half a million cattle and a vast network of productive farms.
However, following the "Cuban Revolution," Najasa became an independent municipality in 1976, losing its connection to the provincial capital. The nationalization of the sugar industry led to an economic collapse rather than progress. By 2002, the sugar mill was permanently closed and demolished, leaving the community without employment and plunging the region into underdevelopment.
Díaz-Canel's visits have become mere propaganda spectacles, filled with promises of improvements that fail to materialize. Najasa's history illustrates how the Castro regime dismantled a once-thriving region, leaving it mired in poverty and despair.
Cubans continue to suffer under an ineffective administration prioritizing political rhetoric over genuine needs. Meanwhile, the regime persists in offering recycled promises that fail to address infrastructure issues or the energy crisis impacting the entire nation.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to outdated infrastructure, a lack of investment, and reliance on aging thermoelectric plants. These issues are compounded by economic challenges and limited resources.
How is the government addressing the power outages?
The government has promised to improve the situation by integrating new power plants and solar parks into the national grid. However, these solutions have yet to provide significant relief to the ongoing blackouts.