Qatar’s $4.5M Energy Reconstruction Investment in Cuba – Ulises Toirac Speaks Out
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Cuban Comedian Ulises Toirac Criticizes Qatari Aid as a “Band-Aid” for Failing Power Grid
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Comedian Ulises Toirac sparked online debate with a scathing critique of a $4.5 million donation from Qatar intended to rehabilitate Cuba’s dilapidated electrical system, arguing the aid addresses symptoms, not the systemic issues plaguing the country’s infrastructure.
Published: December 9, 2025, 19:23:28 (UTC)
The qatari Donation and Cuba’s Energy Crisis
On December 7, 2025, it was announced that Qatar would provide $4.5 million to fund the reconstruction of portions of Cuba’s National Electroenergy System (SEN) in the provinces of Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque CiberCuba. The SEN has been plagued by frequent blackouts and widespread instability for years, severely impacting daily life and economic activity across the island.
The donation aims to address immediate needs and restore some level of service, but the underlying causes of the system’s failures remain largely unaddressed.
Toirac’s Critique: “Tied Up With Rope”
Comedian Ulises Toirac responded to the proclamation with a Facebook post Facebook that quickly went viral. He acknowledged the value of the aid – “4.5 million are not lying on the streets” – and expressed gratitude for the qatari contribution, stating it reflected the sentiments of many Cubans. Though, he then delivered a sharp metaphor: the SEN isn’t “broken by a little hole,” but is “made such a shitty piece of shit that it only works tied up with rope.”
Toirac’s post resonated with many Cubans who feel the government has consistently prioritized short-term fixes over long-term investment and systemic reform in critical infrastructure.
Decades of Neglect and Improvisation
Toirac’s commentary highlights a long history of deferred maintenance, inadequate investment, and improvised solutions applied to the Cuban electrical system. The SEN, originally built decades ago, has suffered from years of wear and tear, exacerbated by a lack of access to modern technology and spare parts, notably following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The analogy of patching up a pair of shoes,rather than replacing them,illustrates the government’s approach. While temporary repairs may provide short-term relief, they do not address the fundamental need for a modernized and lasting energy infrastructure.