On May 20th, Cuba reached a critical juncture in its worsening energy crisis. The state-run Electric Union (UNE) had forecast a power deficit exceeding 1,700 MW, and citizen reports confirmed the worst fears: blackouts have become a nationwide issue, lingering without any set schedule and lacking clear solutions from the socialist regime.
From the early hours, thousands of Cubans took to social media to express their frustration, exhaustion, and anger. The overwhelming sentiment was one of long hours without power, sleepless nights, spoiled food, mosquito infestations, sweltering heat, and a complete absence of concrete official information.
The Strain on Provinces: Blackouts Without Borders
The energy crisis is impacting the entire nation, but provinces such as Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, Granma, Ciego de Ávila, Las Tunas, Holguín, Artemisa, and Santiago de Cuba are bearing the brunt. In Villa Clara, municipalities like Remedios, Sagua la Grande, Camajuaní, and Caibarién reported power outages lasting between 18 and 30 hours, often without notice or schedule, as discussed in comments from CiberCuba's survey conducted on Facebook and Telegram.
In Cienfuegos, areas such as Palmira, Aguada de Pasajeros, and Cruces have been experiencing daily power cuts exceeding 20 hours. Granma, from Yara to Manzanillo and Bayamo, has seen blackouts so prolonged that brief periods of electricity are considered anomalies rather than the norm.
Camagüey is no exception: places like Florida, Guáimaro, Esmeralda, and the main municipality report only 2 to 3 hours of electricity per day. The scenario in Ciego de Ávila, including Bolivia, Chambas, and the 59th circuit of Trinidad, is described as a nightmare: entire nights without power with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius.
In Holguín and Las Tunas, towns such as Moa, Antilla, Rafael Freyre, San Manuel, and Manatí endure consecutive days without electricity. Guantánamo, Baracoa, San Antonio del Sur, and Caimanera face over 24 hours without power, gas, or water.
In Artemisa and Pinar del Río, blackouts are incessant: in Guira de Melena and San Cristóbal, "alumbrones"—brief flashes of electricity—last barely 2 hours, and in Bahía Honda, the lack of electricity prevents even water pumping for apartment buildings.
Although Havana experiences less severe outages, reports of cuts in San Miguel del Padrón, Marianao, Cerro, Diezmero, and Playa, sometimes adding up to 12 hours, have surfaced. Nonetheless, the capital remains one of the few areas with relatively better access to electricity.
Desperation Amidst Darkness: Health and Domestic Collapse
Beyond the absence of light, desperation prevails. Across all provinces, the stories are consistent: children cry from the heat and mosquito bites, the elderly cannot rest, and mothers struggle to cook or preserve food. There is no time to cool a fridge or heat a meal, and fans have become mere decorative items.
Reports mention a surge in mosquitoes amidst dengue outbreaks and respiratory illnesses exacerbated by lack of rest and prolonged use of makeshift charcoal or wood stoves. “We are being slowly killed,” a resident from Mayabeque wrote, where power outages also exceed 20 hours.
In rural areas, the impact is even more profound: the absence of electricity halts water supply, forcing many families to haul water from wells, cisterns, or nearby streams. In tall buildings, this means carrying heavy loads up stairs in extreme heat.
The Nation's Fatigue and Lack of Solutions
There is a widespread feeling of abandonment, mockery, and institutional cruelty. Many Cubans express disbelief in UNE’s daily reports, which speak of “scheduled outages” while reality far exceeds any planned disruptions.
Comments suggest that while the population endures sleepless nights, government officials enjoy uninterrupted electricity, air conditioning, and stocked refrigerators. Criticism has also been directed at the "happy crowds" from past May Day celebrations, noting that these images were used to maintain the status quo and justify a nonexistent normalcy to outsiders. “Now we pay for the parade with more blackouts,” a Santiago de Cuba resident remarked.
Amidst despair and sarcasm, Cubans have coined a new term to describe their routine: “alumbrones,” instead of blackouts. Because having electricity is no longer the norm, but rather a fleeting occurrence. In 2025, Cuba remains engulfed in physical, economic, and political darkness, with no end in sight for many.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the prolonged blackouts in Cuba?
Cuba's blackouts are mainly due to a serious energy deficit, exacerbated by outdated infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and the socialist regime's inability to provide effective solutions or investments.
How are the blackouts affecting daily life in Cuba?
The blackouts severely disrupt everyday life, leading to food spoilage, inability to sleep due to heat and mosquitoes, and exacerbating health issues like dengue and respiratory illnesses.
Are there any solutions in sight for Cuba's energy crisis?
Currently, there appear to be no viable solutions on the horizon, as the regime has not provided any concrete plans to address the widespread and persistent energy shortages.