Spanish activist Ana Hurtado, known for her staunch defense of the Cuban regime, took to Facebook to recommend an independent app that alerts Havana residents about power outages. However, she used the opportunity to blame the outages on former U.S. President Donald Trump and the American embargo.
In response, Cuban state journalist Ana Teresa Badía emphasized the need to address the daily struggles of those living without electricity, stating, "Someone human needs to explain and stand by the people."
This exchange occurs during one of the most critical times for Cuba's National Electric System (SEN), which is experiencing generation deficits of around or exceeding 2,000 megawatts (MW), simultaneous breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants, and ongoing fuel shortages. On October 17 alone, the maximum power cut reached 2,037 MW, according to official data reported by CiberCuba.
The Role of Technology Amidst Power Cuts
Hurtado praised the features of ¿Hay Luz?, a free Android tool that enables users to check power interruptions and restorations by circuits, receive notifications, and estimate the performance of solar panels. "It's very comprehensive and user-friendly," she assured. Yet, she concluded her recommendation by asserting the app's usefulness "as long as the power cuts caused by the Trump Administration and the genocidal blockade continue."
Hurtado's post omitted mention of the thermoelectric plant breakdowns, the deterioration of the energy infrastructure, fuel shortages, or the Cuban government's investment and maintenance decisions.
Independent Solutions for a Government-Induced Crisis
The app Hurtado recommended is not a government initiative. Its website describes it as an application "made by a Cuban, for Havana," though it doesn't publicly identify the developer. The program processes alerts from Havana's Electric Company, allowing users to track their circuit status—a feature especially beneficial when outages are prolonged or announced schedules are not adhered to.
The essential nature of such tools underscores the decline of the SEN, yet the crisis extends beyond scheduled cuts. In September, Cuba experienced its eighth total SEN disconnection of 2026, while prolonged outages also disrupted telecommunications, internet access, and other essential services.
A Call for Human Connection Amid Power Struggles
Badía's response introduced the human and public responsibility aspect missing from Hurtado's message. "The app notifies when the power comes and goes, among other features, but it doesn't explain," Badía wrote.
She added, "Someone human needs to explain and accompany the people. It's necessary to explain repeatedly, to feel for those without power. Besides the app, human support is needed."
While maintaining a cordial tone and not directly challenging Hurtado's political explanation, Badía's words highlighted a contrast between recommending tools to manage scarcity and addressing those suffering its consequences.
Badía's comments are significant given her background, which includes publicly questioning government decisions, the dollarization of services, and the lack of institutional transparency. In September 2025, facing unmet official promises to reduce summer outages, she asked, "Is no one going to explain why the promise wasn't kept?"
Two Perspectives on Power Outages
This exchange reveals two differing perspectives within the group of communicators associated with Cuban officialdom. Hurtado, a Spaniard living outside Cuba, has been involved in numerous controversies due to her defense of communist leaders and clashes with Cuban opponents and activists. She is married to Senén Casas Más, son of the late General Senén Casas Regueiro, former Chief of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Badía, without breaking with Cuba's political system, has demanded explanations for economic decisions and unfulfilled promises by the authorities. Her reaction gains additional weight against Hurtado's recent calls for Cuban resistance and sacrifice.
Earlier in October, Hurtado published an article on Cubadebate invoking wartime heroics to warn the United States about the consequences of military intervention. Now, amidst an electrical crisis affecting millions, she again points to external enemies to explain the blackouts and suggest how to cope with them.
Badía’s response can also be seen as a sign of fatigue within the official ranks. Journalists from state media, tasked with conveying government explanations, are not immune to power cuts or deteriorating living conditions.
That a communicator linked to these institutions calls for "feeling for those without power" in response to a regime defender's advice close to the military elite reveals, at least, a tension between resistance rhetoric and the daily experience of those enduring its consequences.
In this instance, Hurtado attributed the outages solely to external factors, while Badía reminded that informing about when the supply is interrupted is not enough to address the population's needs.
The distinction is particularly relevant as Cuba has faced eight national SEN collapses in 2026 and generation deficits leaving vast areas without service, sometimes for days. Knowing when the electricity will go off or come back allows for planning life around outages; explaining why they occur, how long they will last, and what actions are being taken to resolve them is a responsibility that no app can fulfill on behalf of the government.
Understanding the Cuban Power Crisis
Who is Ana Hurtado?
Ana Hurtado is a Spanish activist known for her support of the Cuban regime. She has been involved in controversies for defending communist leaders and is married to Senén Casas Más, linked to Cuba's military elite.
What is the ¿Hay Luz? app?
¿Hay Luz? is a free Android application that alerts users in Havana about power outages and restorations by circuits. It is not a government initiative and was developed by a Cuban.
Why did Ana Teresa Badía respond to Hurtado?
Ana Teresa Badía responded to highlight the need for human empathy and public accountability in addressing the struggles of those living without electricity, which she felt was missing from Hurtado's message.
How does the Cuban government explain the power outages?
The Cuban government often attributes power outages to external factors such as the U.S. embargo, but critics point to internal issues like infrastructure deterioration and mismanagement.