Outrage is boiling over on social media among Cubans after independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada highlighted the stark contrast between the extended blackouts in Camagüey and the extravagant energy use at the newly opened Torre K-23 Hotel in the heart of Havana.
"I've been unable to see my mom via video call for over 24 hours. Camagüey is suffering from more than 15 hours of blackouts daily, which also cuts off communications. Thousands of families are facing this same challenge," the young journalist lamented on his Facebook page.
The complaint was accompanied by a striking image of the GAESA-owned hotel, operated by the Spanish hotel chain Iberostar, fully illuminated amid the nation’s ongoing energy crisis. The photo captures the hotel glowing brightly against the night sky, its facade and upper floors ablaze with light, a stark contrast to the dim surroundings.
The glaring disparity between the hotel's opulent lighting and the harsh realities faced by ordinary Cubans has fueled criticism online. “This building reveals the true state of Cuba—a parallel world where the power elite enjoy bright lights while the everyday Cuban is left in darkness,” Tan Estrada added.
Activist Voices Echo Discontent
Activist Yamilka Lafita, who captured the photo and is known online as Lara Crofs, described the stark injustice under the Cuban regime. In a post titled “The Damned Circumstance of Totalitarianism Everywhere,” she condemned the growing inequality amid the current energy crisis.
“While the country remains shrouded in darkness... In the urban jungle that this island has become after 65 years of a failed system, emerges the Buckingham Palace of the Cuban Monarchy. Full of lights and fanfare, a castle built on the suffering and neglect of a subjugated people who can only dream of setting foot inside,” Lafita declared.
Energy Crisis Spirals Out of Control
The situation in Camagüey exemplifies an escalating energy crisis that worsens daily. The lack of electrical generation has plunged the nation into instability, with a deficit reportedly surpassing 1,500 MW in recent days, leading to blackouts exceeding 12 hours in several provinces.
Residents of Camagüey report power cuts lasting up to 15 hours a day, disrupting not only essential services but also communications and daily life for thousands of families.
Despite this grim scenario, images from Havana depict a vastly different reality in certain privileged areas, where the power supply seems uninterrupted. Users on social media have voiced their indignation as the Torre K Hotel reportedly keeps all its lights on without visible restrictions.
The energy crisis in Cuba continues to fester without a clear resolution, while public discontent mounts over the inequitable distribution of electricity.
Key Questions on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is primarily due to insufficient electrical generation capacity, which has led to widespread blackouts and unstable power supply across the country.
How are Camagüey residents affected by the blackouts?
Residents in Camagüey are experiencing power outages lasting up to 15 hours daily, impacting access to essential services, communication, and daily life.
What has been the public reaction to the contrasting energy use in Havana?
The public has expressed outrage on social media over the stark contrast between the lavishly lit Torre K Hotel in Havana and the severe blackouts affecting other areas like Camagüey.