Cuban intellectual and professor, Alina Bárbara López Hernández, responded to the official coverage of the ongoing power crisis in Matanzas by sharing a post on Facebook. She highlighted a note from the state-run Periódico Girón, which described the dire situation as a "complex panorama," despite the province experiencing over 70 consecutive hours of power outages.
"They call this disaster a 'complex situation'; yet, Matanzas was still 'commended' in the national contest for July 26. This illustrates the disconnect of the leaders making such decisions. The truth isn't in the news, but in the comments from the people," López stated in her post, which included a photo of a severely rusted transformer precariously mounted on a wooden pole with tangled cables.
The contradiction pointed out by the intellectual is clear: while the PCC Political Bureau declared Matanzas as a "distinguished province" in the contest commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada attack on June 28, the same provincial newspaper soon reported the collapse of the electrical system.
Power Outages and Public Discontent
According to Periódico Girón, eight substations were out of service in the province: four—Lagunilla, Carbonera, Fine, and Bolondrón—due to technical failures, and another four—México, Gratitud, Manuelito, and San Joaquín—because of dielectric oil thefts.
Additionally, 63 transformers were reported as malfunctioning throughout the province, some sustaining damage since May. The municipalities of Cárdenas and Jovellanos had the highest number of unresolved complaints.
López also commented directly on the Periódico Girón's post: "They are frauds. Don’t talk about 'finding solutions' or 'strategizing'; it’s the same vague, ambiguous rhetoric where no one takes responsibility, lacking any connection to reality."
The flood of responses from the people of Matanzas reflected raw frustration. One comment likened the situation to a major catastrophe: "Calling the current situation a 'complex panorama' is like calling the Titanic's sinking a 'minor incident'." Another highlighted the irony of the official accolade: "If this is what 'distinguished' looks like, I don’t want to see the others." A third was more blunt: "In summary: We're in deep trouble."
Following the wave of criticism, Periódico Girón eventually restricted comments on their post.
National Energy Challenges
The national energy context worsens the situation. By June 30, the Unión Eléctrica reported a generation shortfall of 2,052 MW against an estimated demand of 3,200 MW, with only 1,148 MW available nationwide.
Historically, Matanzas has the highest load-shedding capacity in the national grid: 174 MW across 123 circuits versus a demand of 238 MW. The Antonio Guiteras thermal power plant, located in Matanzas and considered the country’s primary generator, had experienced 16 disconnections in 2026 alone.
Personal Struggles Amid Criticism
López Hernández, who holds a Doctorate in Philosophical Sciences and teaches at a university, has been under house arrest since June 2024, accused of "assault." Her trial, initially set for January 2026, was indefinitely postponed. Despite these restrictions, she remains active on social media, where she consistently criticizes the regime.
Meanwhile, Matanzas Governor Marieta Poey Zamora urged Family Attention Systems to "prepare croquettes, hamburgers, doughnuts" for children during the holidays and advised "finding strategies to avoid crowding at banks," as retirees waited in line under the sun to collect their pensions. These statements, much like the official commendation, drew more ridicule than relief from the population.
Understanding the Power Crisis in Matanzas
What caused the power crisis in Matanzas?
The power crisis in Matanzas was caused by multiple factors, including technical failures at substations, theft of dielectric oil, and a high number of malfunctioning transformers. These issues were compounded by a national energy deficit.
How has the government responded to the crisis?
The government response included labeling Matanzas as a "distinguished province" despite the crisis, which has been widely criticized for its disconnect from reality. Additionally, measures like urging the preparation of food for children and strategizing to avoid bank crowds were suggested.
What was the public's reaction to the official narrative?
The public reacted with frustration and sarcasm, with many criticizing the government's portrayal of the crisis as a "complex situation" and expressing disbelief at the commendation given to Matanzas amid widespread power outages.