Residents from circuit 2073 in La Lisa, Havana, have taken to Facebook to expose a troubling practice: someone is deliberately cutting off their electricity supply, allegedly to sell the power to others, leaving them without service for hours on end.
The video, shared by Marcia Pérez Borrego and recorded in San Agustín, Arroyo Arenas, features women pointing out how their electricity mysteriously vanishes from their circuit only to reappear in another sector under suspicious circumstances.
“This is unfair—they're selling our electricity to other people. It’s true, they are selling it. It’s logical. Why else would they cut it off?” questions one of the residents on camera.
Another woman, visibly upset, asserts, “We have our rights, just like everyone else.”
This incident is not unprecedented. In mid-July, Elizabeth González Aznar demanded an investigation into a supposed illegal electricity diversion in the same municipality. She pointed out that circuits 2073 and 2075 were receiving just an hour of service daily, while circuit A1223 enjoyed between six to eight continuous hours.
González Aznar documented that circuit 2073 was energized at 11:50 a.m. only to lose power precisely an hour later. By 4 p.m., the customer service line 18888 still had no explanation for the "automatic outage".
Neither the Municipal Party, the Municipal Assembly, nor the local electric company responded to her complaint.
This pattern is evident in other municipalities as well. In July, residents of Calabazar, Boyeros, caught two linemen from the Unión Eléctrica allegedly selling electricity illegally to private businesses and small enterprises while the community endured extended blackouts.
The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) acknowledged the incident as an "isolated act of corruption" and promised corrective measures.
On July 22, official Roberto Morales Ojeda publicly admitted to these behaviors, though he downplayed their significance by suggesting that only "four or five" individuals were tarnishing the efforts of the majority.
La Lisa has become a focal point for public dissent linked to the ongoing electrical crisis. At the start of July, residents gathered outside the local PCC headquarters after enduring over 50 consecutive hours without electricity, chanting slogans and demanding water, food, power, and freedom.
Similarly, in January, residents of El Cano staged nighttime protests after enduring several days without service; following the demonstration, power was temporarily restored.
This past Saturday, Havana's Electric Company reported the restoration of service in parts of La Lisa after fixing a transformer-related issue in Coronela, though the stability of the supply remains fragile throughout the municipality.
Underlying this is a national electrical crisis of unprecedented scale: so far in 2026, Cuba has experienced at least six widespread system failures, with a generation deficit reaching 2,100 MW against a demand of 3,200 MW, and blackouts in Havana exceeding 22 hours daily.
FAQs about Cuba's Electricity Crisis
What is causing the electricity crisis in Cuba?
The crisis is primarily due to a significant generation deficit, with the system producing 2,100 MW against a demand of 3,200 MW, causing widespread blackouts.
How have residents of La Lisa responded to the power outages?
Residents have staged protests, demanding essential services like water and electricity, and have publicly voiced their frustrations through social media and demonstrations.
Has the Cuban government addressed these electricity issues?
The government has acknowledged isolated incidents of corruption but has largely downplayed the extent of the crisis, citing efforts to address and rectify the situation.