Cuban content creator Yai Savón openly criticized leader Miguel Díaz-Canel in a Facebook video, highlighting the dire situation in her neighborhood, which has faced four days without electricity, 15 days without water, and spoiled food due to ongoing blackouts.
As a mother from the La Lisa municipality in Havana, Savón began her message with a blunt question aimed at the president and other regime officials: "You shamelessly tell us: 'Endure.' Endure what, my brother? Endure what?"
She vividly described her family's plight: "I have three young children. I can't feed them because all the food has spoiled. There's no rechargeable fan for air because there's no power. We don't even have water."
Her outcry challenges the official narrative of "creative resistance" promoted by Díaz-Canel throughout his tenure, even as he admitted in June that "creative resistance is no longer sufficient."
Savón highlighted a perceived disparity between neighboring municipalities: "In Marianao, they have power all day, but in La Lisa, we don't get even an hour. We've been without power for four days and without water for about fifteen."
She lamented the economic impact of the crisis: "If someone wants to sell ice pops to feed their children, they can't because there's no electricity."
In her video, Savón urged Díaz-Canel to acknowledge his failure: "Just step down already, my brother! Step down. If you can't, find a white shirt, a little white flag, and wave it."
She also accused the regime of waging a "psychological war" against the people. "They're slowly killing us, they're finishing us off."
The video surfaced after Cuba set a new record for electrical deficits, with outages exceeding 2,411 MW. Between August 2 and 4, the national electric system collapsed twice within 24 hours, marking the sixth and seventh total collapses of the year.
La Lisa has a recent history of severe blackout issues. In July, residents protested outside the Communist Party's municipal headquarters after enduring over 50 consecutive hours without power or water.
Comments on Savón's video show widespread support. One follower stated, "The 'resistance' they speak of is simply buying time to eradicate the people, through unprecedented psychological torture." Another comment was more straightforward: "I support you; Cuban mothers can no longer withstand this."
Understanding the Cuban Power Crisis
What are the main causes of power outages in Cuba?
Cuba's power outages are largely due to aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and insufficient investment in the energy sector. These issues are compounded by economic sanctions and resource shortages.
How are Cuban citizens coping with the lack of electricity?
Many Cubans are struggling to cope with the power shortages, facing difficulties in preserving food and accessing basic amenities like water and cooling systems. Protests and public outcry have become more common as frustration grows.