Comedian and actor Ulises Toirac took to Facebook to voice his support for fellow actor Luis Alberto García Novoa, who recently spoke out about enduring over 48 hours without electricity or water in his Havana apartment.
What started as a show of solidarity quickly turned into a pointed critique. Toirac called out those who speak on behalf of the Cuban people from the comfort of their privilege, without experiencing firsthand the energy crisis plaguing the island.
In his post, Toirac admits to going "many days" with only three or four hours of electricity, yet acknowledges that his situation is less severe than García's, who suffered six days without power.
A Direct Critique from Experience
Toirac empathizes deeply with the struggles of his fellow Cubans, writing, "The helplessness of missing your scheduled power slots because a transformer is broken, resulting in four, six, or even eight days without electricity, must be catastrophic."
From this place of understanding, he delivers his most powerful critique: "No one can truly suffer alongside you. No one feels exactly what each person feels. No matter how much empathy or solidarity they claim. And if their empathy is forced, convenient, political, or beneficial for other interests, even less."
His message targets those who, from a place of comfort, attempt to speak for the suffering of others.
Challenging the Narrative of Privilege
"From a home with constant electricity, a stocked pantry, chosen temperatures, waking up to breakfast without worrying about what else to do so the family doesn't go without. DON'T SPEAK AS IF YOU KNOW WHAT I SUFFER, JONE!" Toirac wrote, a direct jab at the regime's officials and spokespeople.
Toirac's comments follow García's warning to the regime that he would not remain silent during the crisis. "I will not shut up. Know this," the actor declared on June 24, after revealing his building had been without power or water for over two days due to a transformer failure.
García ended that post with a cleverly double-edged statement: "This country needs TRANSFORMERS. Electrical and of all kinds."
Artists as Voices of Protest
Both actors have been using their social media platforms to voice their grievances for weeks. On June 23, García directly questioned the regime, asking: "Do you have anything planned to make our lives a little less miserable for July and August?" Previously, he had been even more confrontational, stating, "I want to see them going hungry," demanding that the leaders experience the same hardships as the people.
Meanwhile, Toirac remarked that "Cuba is in a labyrinth without a solution," and on Friday, he released a satirical parody of the song "Ódiame" with the line "Go without measures or mercy!" referring to the 176 economic measures approved by the National Assembly on June 18.
The artists' protests come amid Cuba's most severe energy crisis in decades. In May, the electrical deficit reached a record 2,174 MW, with only 976 MW available against a demand of 3,150 MW.
In June, the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant experienced its eleventh disconnection of the year, and areas of Havana like Playa reported blackouts lasting up to 40 consecutive hours.
Toirac concluded his post with warm wishes to his colleague: "Lucho, may the electricity be with you. And the Force."
Insights into Cuba's Energy Crisis
What prompted Ulises Toirac's Facebook post?
Ulises Toirac posted on Facebook in support of actor Luis Alberto García's public complaint about enduring over 48 hours without electricity or water in Havana.
How are the artists using their platforms?
Both Ulises Toirac and Luis Alberto García are utilizing their social media accounts to highlight and protest against Cuba's energy crisis and the government’s response.
What is the current state of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing its worst energy crisis in decades, with significant power deficits and frequent blackouts, exacerbated by issues like the frequent disconnections at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant.