On Tuesday, Henrique Fernando Salas-Römer, the former governor of Carabobo in Venezuela, addressed a pressing question: Is Cuba headed for a complete collapse like Venezuela? In an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, his answer was unequivocal: Venezuela has already been there, and the Cuban regime played a significant role.
The discussion occurred amidst a dual crisis: a massive blackout that left all of Cuba without power on Monday—the seventh total grid failure in 18 months—and an interview published in USA Today with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," Raúl Castro's grandson, suggesting he might be willing to take power.
The Cuban and Venezuelan Regimes Compared
Salas-Römer made a clear distinction between the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes. "I believe they are entirely different systems, even though the Cuban regime was a major catalyst for what happened in Venezuela and, evidently, in Nicaragua too," he stated.
However, when Costa suggested that Venezuela never experienced the extreme shortages currently plaguing Cuba—lack of water, electricity, and food—the former governor swiftly disagreed. "No, of course, it did. Believe it or not, an oil-rich country like Venezuela ended up neglecting its oil wells, which were then shut down and stopped producing."
Venezuela's Oil Decline and Cuban Involvement
Salas-Römer elaborated on Venezuela's decline from producing nearly 2.3 million barrels of oil daily to falling below one million, directly blaming the Cuban regime for its part in this downfall. "Venezuela used to send about 300,000 barrels to the Cuban regime, which regrettably didn't use it to improve Cubans' quality of life but instead to conduct business," he remarked.
The former governor detailed this corruption mechanism. "They practically took Venezuelan oil for free, as it hasn't been paid for—the debt is enormous. What the Cuban regime did was resell it at international market prices, amassing a fortune through massive corruption."
El Cangrejo's Ambitions and the Cuban Crisis
Regarding "El Cangrejo's" interview in USA Today, Costa summarized its core message: "While he doesn't state anything new, it reads between the lines—and more than that—it reads that he's ready to assume power if the revolution calls on him."
Costa added an ironic note, pointing out that the USA Today journalist found Rodríguez Castro wearing Hermès sneakers and Dolce & Gabbana shirts while lamenting, "It pains me that people can't live like I do. My greatest sorrow is that people struggle."
Salas-Römer linked both phenomena—the blackout and "El Cangrejo's" maneuvering—with the current state of both the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes: "Both systems are in survival mode."
The former governor also asserted that the energy crisis is weakening the regime's grip on the populace. "The energy chokehold has managed to break the stranglehold the regime, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and perhaps the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) have had on the population for years. It's clear they are losing control day by day, as the demands grow louder."
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba and Venezuela
How does the energy crisis in Cuba impact the regime's control over the population?
The energy crisis is eroding the Cuban regime's control over its people, as frequent blackouts and shortages increase public dissatisfaction and weaken the government's stronghold.
What role did the Cuban regime play in Venezuela's collapse?
The Cuban regime was a significant influence in Venezuela's decline, particularly in the mishandling of oil resources. Oil was sent to Cuba at a loss for Venezuela, further exacerbating the economic crisis.
Why is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro referred to as "El Cangrejo"?
"El Cangrejo," meaning "The Crab," is a nickname for Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro's grandson, who has recently hinted at his willingness to assume a leadership role in Cuba.