Prominent Cuban actor Luis Alberto García Novoa took to Facebook on Wednesday to voice his frustration over enduring two days and nights without electricity or water. In his defiant post, he warned the regime that he will continue to speak out, regardless of any repercussions.
"I will not be silenced. Let it be known," García asserted in his post, which has been widely shared on social media. He detailed how the transformer supplying power to his building had failed, leaving him, his daughters, his girlfriend, and several neighbors in the dark. Many of them, he noted, choose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.
In a candid and vehement tone, García expressed what his vocal stance means to the regime: "I will be a COMPLETE kidney stone, with a whole road of stones in their urinary tract. 'A nuisance,' as my grandmother Mercedes used to say."
The actor was forthright about his feelings toward the authorities: "I haven’t feared them for quite some time."
Describing the dire situation, García was unequivocal: "This is not living. This doesn't deserve loyalty or respect because it has long become DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL. You were the ones who always cast the first stones."
He went on to declare his steadfast commitment to speaking out: "Tomorrow I'll do it again, and the day after, and the day after that. Even if it takes months. Until they prove that they're not as inept as they seem."
He concluded his post with a phrase that cleverly encapsulated both the energy crisis and the need for political change: "This country needs TRANSFORMERS. Electrical and otherwise."
García's protest comes amid Cuba's worst energy crisis in decades. In May 2026, the electricity deficit reached a record 2,174 MW, with only 976 MW available to meet a demand of 3,150 MW. On May 16, 51% of the nation simultaneously lost power.
By June, the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant—the country's largest—experienced its eleventh shutdown of the year, and areas like Playa in Havana suffered blackouts lasting up to 40 consecutive hours.
Transformer failures have become a systemic issue, with residents in locations such as Ceiba Mocha, Santiago de Cuba, and Güines enduring weeks without power and no response from the Electric Company or timeline for repairs.
This recent post is just one in a series of sustained criticisms from García. On Tuesday, he challenged the regime by asking, "Do you have anything planned to make our lives a little less miserable in July and August?"
Last Saturday, he demanded that Communist Party leaders and military officials be barred from becoming business owners or shareholders without audits.
And on June 16, he bluntly stated, "I want to see them go hungry," insisting that leaders should endure the same hardships as the populace.
With a career spanning over four decades in film, theater, and television, García has become one of the most visible cultural dissidents in Cuba. Since late 2025, he has used his social media platforms to denounce the energy crisis, censorship, and regime repression.
Cuba's Energy Crisis and Public Outcry
What prompted Luis Alberto García's recent outcry?
Luis Alberto García's recent outcry was prompted by a 48-hour power and water outage affecting him and his neighbors. He used social media to express his frustration and to criticize the Cuban regime.
How has the energy crisis affected Cuba recently?
Cuba has faced its worst energy crisis in decades, with a significant electricity deficit and widespread blackouts. Transformer failures and power plant shutdowns have left many regions without consistent power supply.
What measures has Luis Alberto García suggested to address the issues in Cuba?
Luis Alberto García has called for political change, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability among Cuban leaders. He has also demanded that Communist Party officials and military personnel undergo audits if they become business owners.