Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), recently seized upon a power outage in Indiana to target Cuban expatriates in the United States who criticize the island's situation. His comments reflect a familiar tactic of deflecting attention from Cuba's ongoing energy crisis.
On his X account, Hernández shared a screenshot from a news report detailing that around 68,000 customers in northwest Indiana had been without power for nine days following an August 11 storm.
"It's not about wanting to criticize the USA, but some who LIVE in #USA (without blockade or sanctions) criticize EVERYTHING about #Cuba, and now they are silent because it's 'normal' that—in the richest country in the world—some have been without electricity for weeks due to a storm," the official stated.
Such a comparison is tenuous when viewed against Cuba's energy reality in 2026.
Understanding the Indiana Outage
The Indiana blackout was caused by a derecho—a straight-line windstorm—with gusts reaching up to 99 mph in Gary. This was an isolated meteorological event. The electric company NIPSCO, which at one point had nearly 374,500 customers without service, estimated full restoration by August 25.
Cuba's Chronic Energy Crisis
In stark contrast, Cuba is grappling with a structural electrical crisis that isn't tied to any particular storm. The National Electric System experienced at least six total collapses from January to August this year, with the latest on August 3. The power generation deficit exceeded 2,411 MW on August 5, leaving over 65% of the population without electricity during peak hours. The issues are systemic: outdated plants, chronic fuel shortages, and lack of maintenance.
Even Cuba's Energy and Mines Minister, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged in May that the country "has neither fuel nor diesel to generate electricity," a statement that undermines any attempt to equate the two situations.
Hernández's Propaganda Campaign
Rather than acknowledging these issues, Hernández has used his social media presence throughout 2026 to push a propagandistic narrative. In March, when a massive blackout hit the island, he responded with "Down with the blockade! No one can bring this people to their knees!" In February, he used a photo of an Argentine baby in an incubator to demonstrate the supposed effects of the embargo on Cuba—an image that was later exposed as fake. In April, he posted "Beautiful Havana" as the island suffered through power cuts exceeding twenty hours daily. In May, he sarcastically requested a tanker of oil from Washington amid the energy crisis.
Hernández, part of the "Cuban Five"—intelligence agents convicted in the U.S. for espionage and released in 2014—consistently employs the same strategy with each new controversy: point to external difficulties to silence criticism of a regime that has failed to resolve its citizens' electricity woes for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to outdated power plants, chronic fuel shortages, and a lack of maintenance. These systemic issues have led to frequent power outages and a significant power generation deficit.
How does the Indiana blackout compare to Cuba's energy issues?
The Indiana blackout was an isolated incident caused by an extreme weather event, while Cuba's energy problems are ongoing and structural, not triggered by specific storms.
Who is Gerardo Hernández Nordelo?
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo is the national coordinator of Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and was one of the "Cuban Five," intelligence agents convicted in the United States for espionage.