Over the weekend, Old Havana became the epicenter of public outrage as residents shared videos highlighting the dire conditions they endure without basic utilities like electricity, gas, and clean water. The cries of "Enough is enough, we're exhausted" echoed through a video captured by the independent outlet CubaNet, which quickly spread across Instagram and other social media platforms.
The footage underscored the mounting frustration from years of ongoing crises, further exacerbated by recent extended power outages, supply system failures, and heavy rains. "We're struggling... no gas, no power, and nothing to eat. It's unbearable," a resident voiced, while another woman angrily declared, "I'm fed up, I'm about to explode."
Families were seen improvising with wood fires for cooking and trying to cope with the heat without fans or refrigeration. "If it’s not the water, it’s the electricity or the food. In this country, you never know how you'll manage," lamented a local.
This situation is part of a broader national energy crisis that has halted water pumping to the capital, affecting districts like Old Havana, Central Havana, Cerro, and Diez de Octubre with daily interruptions. The state-run company Aguas de La Habana has acknowledged numerous failures in the South Basin pipelines and systems in Guanabacoa and San Miguel del Padrón, attributing them to electrical instability.
Simultaneously, issues at the Naranjito substation and low power generation availability led to widespread blackouts in the capital on Sunday. Havana's Electric Company admitted that they had to urgently cut over 200 MW, impacting neighborhoods already suffering from water and gas shortages.
Social media has amplified the voices of Havana's residents. "No food, no water, no power, no life; every day is a constant struggle," one user posted on the aforementioned media's Instagram. Others openly called for action: "Let's see, tomorrow we all need to stage a coup, we are the majority," commented another user.
Despite the despair, there is a glimmer of hope among those who rely on resilience. "God have mercy on Cuba," another user shared, as messages of solidarity from abroad urged perseverance, promising freedom soon.
This scenario brings to mind the events in Gibara, Holguín, where recent protests against power outages led to arrests and police operations. While no arrests have been reported in Old Havana yet, the discontent is clearly growing. "Everyone to the streets," several neighbors shouted in the video, encapsulating the frustration of a population living in darkness, thirst, and the uncertainty of a system failing to provide essential services.
Understanding the Crisis in Havana
What are the main causes of the current crisis in Havana?
The crisis in Havana is mainly due to a national energy shortage that has disrupted water pumping and led to frequent power outages, compounded by infrastructure failures and severe weather conditions.
How are residents coping with the lack of basic services?
Residents are resorting to improvisation, such as cooking with wood fires and managing without fans or refrigeration, while expressing their frustrations through social media and public outcry.
Has there been any government response to the public's demands?
While there have been official acknowledgments of the infrastructure failures and power shortages, substantial solutions or improvements have yet to be seen, leading to increased public dissatisfaction.