Blenda López, a Cuban content creator who has been living in Spain for nearly two years, shared a video on Instagram detailing her first 48 hours back in Cuba, which were immediately marked by a nationwide blackout.
The video has garnered over 13,000 views and approximately 910 reactions.
"I arrived and, of course, there was a blackout. It was a national blackout. Quite the welcome. But I don't mind, my love. Because my mom had made me a delicious meal," López recounted with humor and resignation in her video.
López landed on the island around March 22, just as the National Electric System (SEN) had experienced its second total disconnection in a week.
Challenges of a Powerless Cuba
The power outage on March 22, triggered by a cascading failure at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant in Camagüey, left over 90% of Havana without electricity.
Her second day in Cuba was also spent without electricity. As she described, the neighbors managed to get the power restored through a cacerolazo, though the result was limited.
"The power came back on and lasted from 11 at night until 4 in the morning. I took the opportunity to shower, record a YouTube video, my mom to cook, do the laundry, and boil water."
During those five hours, the entire family hustled to meet the basic needs that had piled up during the outage.
Everyday Realities and Resilience
Beyond the blackouts, López documented other daily challenges in Cuba: the need to carry large sums of cash for any purchase and the unsanitary condition of her neighborhood streets.
"The worst part of all this is that you find trash piles on every corner, on every street, in every block. Of course, there are thousands of infections, diseases, epidemics. Yes, this is the most inhumane and unsanitary situation that exists," she lamented.
Like many Cuban expatriates, López brought goods from Europe in her luggage, known as "pacotilla," a widespread and essential practice for families on the island. This made her stay in the country more manageable.
"That was how my first 48 hours in Cuba went," López concluded her account, maintaining the same tone that encapsulated her entire experience: "Always regal, always alive."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the blackout in Cuba on March 22?
The blackout on March 22 was caused by a cascading failure at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant in Camagüey, which affected over 90% of Havana.
How did Blenda López's family cope with the power outages?
During the brief return of power, López's family utilized the time to shower, cook, do laundry, and boil water, addressing essential needs accumulated during the outage.
What other challenges did Blenda López face during her visit to Cuba?
Aside from the power outages, López faced the challenge of carrying large amounts of cash for purchases and dealt with the unsanitary conditions of her neighborhood streets.