Amid escalating pressure from the United States, Cuba's government under Díaz-Canel has introduced a package of emergency measures aimed at sustaining the communist regime during one of its most profound crises yet. The current energy crisis is intensified by Washington's oil embargo, forcing the regime to revert to tactics reminiscent of the 'Special Period' following the Soviet Union's collapse, which had previously instilled fear and hardship among the Cuban populace.

The measures taken by the Cuban government signify a desperate attempt to avoid the mistakes of the past, particularly as the citizens had hoped they would never again experience the levels of deprivation seen during the 1990s. With the government resorting to repression and social control as part of its strategy, the realities faced by the Cuban people echo back to those dark times, stirring memories of a past that many believed was behind them.

In response to these crises, the Díaz-Canel administration is facing the challenge of maintaining power while simultaneously addressing the populace's growing dissatisfaction. This precarious balancing act may further strain the already tense relationship between the Cuban leadership and its citizens, as both the socio-political climate and the economic conditions trigger calls for change and potentially more significant unrest in the face of government suppression.