A quiet evening among Cuban artists in Miami unexpectedly transformed into a scene reminiscent of life on the island, as a literal spark transported everyone back to Havana for a fleeting moment.
The surprise power outage occurred at a café on Calle Ocho, a symbolic corner of Cuban exile where everything usually runs smoothly—except, for five short minutes, the electricity.
The incident was caught on video and shared on the Facebook page of La Casa de Maka.
In the midst of conversations and laughter, the blackout took the attendees by surprise. Seizing the moment, actor Jean Michel quipped to his mother-in-law, Coralita Veloz, a line that sparked immediate laughter: "It's like being at the Casino Deportivo in Havana."
Coralita, staying true to her style, enthusiastically replied: "Yes, sir!"
The popular actress Irela Bravo was also at the table.
"Oh, Irela, what's going on!" Jean Michel was heard saying.
María Karla Rivero (Maka), Coralita's daughter, grabbed her phone and stepped outside to capture the unusual sight: the iconic Calle Ocho shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the headlights of cars still moving along.
The blackout lasted just a few minutes, but when the power was restored, it was met with a cheer that could have come straight from a Havana neighborhood: "Eeeeeeh, the power's back!"
Cheers, applause, and total celebration followed. For Cubans, no matter how long they've been away, that mix of relief and festivity when the lights come back on is unforgettable.
The post generated hundreds of comments.
"Communism has arrived on Calle 8, hahaha," joked one Havana native.
A man from Manzanillo commented: "What a scare! I thought: 'Oh no, Guiteras has emigrated too.'"
Another user asserted that "the power's back" is the most longed-for shout in Cuba at the moment.
Some spoke of "the curse of Guiteras," another asked if it was "a solidarity blackout," and someone else mocked, saying "they took it from Block 8."
"What a nice blackout, there it's enjoyable because it's such a rare event, and people even bring out their candles to put on the table and dine by their light. The thing is, there's not enough time for the candle to burn out," expressed another Cuban from the island.
Beyond the humor, the episode highlighted the stark contrast between what is a humorous anecdote in Miami and a daily ordeal in Cuba. For the Cubans present, the brief outage triggered memories that don't always elicit laughter: the routine of endless power cuts on the island, schedules disrupted by the lack of electricity, and lives adjusted around a basic service that rarely functions as it should.
While on Calle Ocho the blackout became a collective joke, in Cuba it represents a constant hurdle affecting homes, schools, workplaces, and any semblance of normalcy. The difference is clear: in Miami, a five-minute blackout is a curiosity; on the island, five minutes with electricity can be the real rarity.
And yet, in that brief darkness in Miami, Cubans did what they do best when everything goes dark: laugh together, remember where they come from... and celebrate as if it were a miracle when the lights came back on.
Understanding the Impact of Power Outages in Cuban Communities
Why did the power outage on Calle Ocho evoke nostalgia among Cuban artists?
The power outage on Calle Ocho reminded Cuban artists of similar experiences in Cuba, where power cuts are a common occurrence. This shared experience evoked feelings of nostalgia and humor among those present, as it briefly transported them back to the island.
How do power outages affect daily life in Cuba compared to Miami?
In Cuba, power outages are a frequent disruption that significantly impacts daily life, affecting homes, schools, and workplaces. In contrast, in Miami, such an event is rare and often viewed as a temporary inconvenience, sometimes even a source of humor.
What cultural significance do power outages hold for Cubans?
For many Cubans, power outages hold cultural significance as they are a common aspect of life on the island. These events often become communal experiences, where people come together to find humor and solidarity in the face of adversity.