TKP Secretary Okuyan: “There is no panic or surrender in [Cuba's] society” (14.03.2026)
Okuyan, secretary of the Communist Party of Turkey, shared his observations following a visit to Cuba, emphasizing that despite severe conditions, society remains resilient.
Stating that “Cuba is facing very harsh circumstances,” Okuyan said that electricity outages are frequent and ongoing. “When I was there, there was a major blackout. It was repaired, but even in its restored state, power comes and goes every 10 minutes,” he noted.
He explained that transportation has not come to a complete halt, with vehicles carrying food supplies still operating. Authorities and citizens are also finding alternative solutions, such as using solar-powered three-wheeled vehicles.
Okuyan highlighted that the situation in hospitals is particularly concerning, as power cuts pose serious risks to patients. He added that due to the longstanding embargo, Cuba is unable to obtain not only fuel but also the materials needed to repair dams and transmission lines.
“The United States tightens its grip on Cuba’s throat and then calls it a ‘failed state,’” Okuyan said. “However, there is no panic or surrender within society. There are no protests. We visited the most affected areas and saw not unrest, but a hardworking spirit focused on finding solutions.”
"Not expecting a direct attack would be a weakness."
The secretary also responded to a question about whether intervention by the United States against Cuba is expected. “Not expecting a direct attack would be a serious weakness. They anticipate the possibility of an attack. They say, ‘We do not want it,’ but also stress that ‘if the United States were to target Cuba, the response would be very harsh,’” he said.
He added that despite tensions, the Cuban people remain in high spirits. “When I was there, the thing that upset people the most was losing to Canada in baseball,” he noted.