The combination of blackouts and water shortages generates social tension, reflected in protests, social media complaints, and public expressions of frustration. Debts to Farmers and Production CrisisOne of the central issues in this episode of X-ray of Cuba is the State’s multimillion-peso debt with food producers. A report in the state-run newspaper Trabajadores acknowledged in July 2025 that there are debts in 33 sugar cooperatives, affecting 4,700 producers. The report concluded that this is a highly lucrative economic model, where forced labor generates foreign currency for the regime. Prisoners Defenders demands sanctions on companies that import these products and calls for thorough investigations to halt the systematic exploitation of prisoners on the island.