A desperate plea has been made on Facebook by a mother from Cienfuegos, urging the return of a power converter she inadvertently left under the seat of a rented tricycle. This device is crucial for her newborn's survival during the frequent power outages.
Keily Turiño Rodríguez recounted that the incident happened around 6 p.m. yesterday, as she and her family were leaving La Punta, a beach in Cienfuegos, on a rented tricycle.
"If there's any humanity left, and I believe there is, please return it if you found it," Keily implored in her post.
"We all struggle with the country's electricity situation, but consider my child. It's unimaginable for a newborn to endure this," she pleaded.
Keily provided two contact numbers for anyone with information about the converter: 58352701 and 63261959.
The call for help was shared by the Facebook profile "Las Cosas de Fernanda," known for its official stance and close ties to the Ministry of the Interior. The profile shared a screenshot of Keily's post.
It's notable that a regime-aligned profile is spreading a story that starkly reveals the failure of the state-run electrical system.
Energy Crisis Deepens in Cuba
The situation underscores the human aspect of Cuba's ongoing energy crisis. Reports indicate that power outages were expected to affect 62% of the nation simultaneously on Thursday.
Earlier in the week, the Electric Union forecasted a night-time peak shortfall of 1,700 MW, with only 1,310 MW available against a demand of 2,980 MW.
Cienfuegos has been particularly hard-hit, with power cuts lasting up to 25 consecutive hours in 2025, due to frequent breakdowns at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermoelectric Plant.
Converters as Lifelines
In this challenging environment, power converters and inverters have become essential survival tools for Cuban families, especially those with infants, individuals with chronic illnesses, or those reliant on electrical devices. The loss of such equipment is a domestic catastrophe.
Keily's story is not unique. In November 2025, another mother from Pinar del Río publicly reported that her government's provided converter failed during outages.
In June 2025, a sick child in Cárdenas received an electrical inverter through a solidarity campaign.
This month, the humanitarian project "Dar es Dar" made an urgent appeal to secure portable power stations for six seriously ill children in Pinar del Río.
In March 2026, Correos de Cuba announced the prices of kits with inverters, batteries, and protections, which the public labeled as "shockingly high."
In December 2025, the regime acknowledged that blackouts would persist into 2026, keeping over half a million Cuban children on reduced school hours due to the electric crisis, according to the UN.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Challenges
Why are power converters crucial in Cuba?
Power converters are essential in Cuba due to frequent power outages. They allow families to maintain critical devices operational, which is especially vital for those with newborns, chronically ill individuals, or others dependent on electrical equipment.
What is the current state of Cuba's electrical grid?
Cuba's electrical grid is in a dire state, with frequent outages affecting significant portions of the country. The infrastructure struggles to meet demand, leading to extended blackouts and severe disruptions to daily life.
How are Cuban families coping with the energy crisis?
Cuban families are turning to power converters and inverters as lifelines to cope with the energy crisis, using them to power essential devices during outages. Solidarity campaigns and humanitarian aid have also played roles in providing some relief.