Cuban comedian Reuel Remedios, best known for his character "Lindoro Incapaz," shared a video on Facebook filled with his usual blend of sarcasm and outrage. In the clip, he recounts how employees from the Electric Company showed up at his home with an order to cut off his power due to an unpaid bill from the previous day.
The irony of the situation was not lost on him: Lindoro failed to pay because he was already without electricity.
"You've got to have a lot of nerve, buddy," the comedian remarked. He went on to describe his interaction with the diligent "cutters": "Look, we've had power for one hour in three days, two hours at most. Today it was on for 10 minutes before it got reported as on... and a truck came 10 minutes after the power was on and cut something at the pole, leaving us without power. Yet, they claim we've had electricity all day, 24 hours."
Electricity Crisis and Systemic Irony
The absurdity of the situation is clear: no electricity means no internet, and without internet, Transfermóvil—the app mandated for paying the electric bill—doesn't work. Without Transfermóvil, the debt can't be settled. "When there's no power here, we're living in the jungle—no connection, no signal, no landline," Lindoro summarized before making a final point to the worker attempting to execute the cut: "We pay via transfer, and if we haven't paid you, it's your own fault."
What truly infuriated the comedian wasn't the visit itself but the selective efficiency displayed by the entity: "For cutting off power, they're efficient... Wow! What an efficient crew! Coming to cut my power because I'm a day late, because I haven't paid, because they haven't provided power so I can connect. How does that make sense?" The title of his video said it all: "This is the last straw."
Widespread Frustration Among Cubans
This incident is not unique. Back in June 2026, a Cuban woman reported that Electric Company workers came to cut off her power over a debt of just five Cuban pesos, even though she had already paid via Transfermóvil. On October 5, ETECSA confirmed that energy issues simultaneously affected Transfermóvil and the Nauta service, leaving thousands of Cubans unable to make digital payments.
This all unfolds against the backdrop of a historic energy crisis: this Friday, the Electric Union reported a meager available generation of just 740 MW compared to a demand of 2,900 MW, with a projected deficit of 2,160 MW. To make matters worse, the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna thermoelectric plant's unit 1 went offline following a fire.
Comments under Lindoro's video mirrored the widespread exasperation: many users recounted similar experiences, caught in the same vicious cycle of being unable to pay because they have no power and having no power because, allegedly, they haven't paid.
"Because I have no power, I have no connection and can't pay you. I'm paying for a service you're not even providing. You come to cut my power because I haven't paid for a service you've delivered poorly," Lindoro articulated with a clarity unmatched by any official report.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the current energy crisis in Cuba?
The crisis stems from a significant gap between energy generation and demand, exacerbated by infrastructure failures like the recent fire at the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna thermoelectric plant.
How does the lack of electricity affect digital payments in Cuba?
Without electricity, internet services are unavailable, rendering apps like Transfermóvil unusable, which are essential for making digital payments.
Why is the Electric Company criticized for selective efficiency?
The company is criticized for promptly cutting off power for unpaid bills while failing to provide consistent electricity, leaving customers without means to pay.