A Cuban mother named MakarlaEslohan Santos has stirred social media with a viral video on Facebook, vividly illustrating the harsh new routine dictated by the ongoing power crisis: waking up at 3 a.m. when the electricity returns to cook, care for her children, and prepare for work, all with minimal sleep.
In the brief minute-and-nine-second clip, Santos captures how she makes the most of every moment with electricity. She quickly starts cooking lunch, prepares meals for the dogs and children, washes her hair, and makes coffee. By 6 a.m., the power cuts out again, leaving her to head to work exhausted.
A screenshot from her phone at 3:30 a.m. humorously yet despairingly sums up the situation: "The power's back, time to cook (sounds like a joke, but it's not)."
Santos' experience is far from unique. In April, another Cuban mother woke at 3:40 a.m. to soften beans during a brief window of restored electricity, while a family in Pinar del Río rose at 3 a.m. in March to make the most of two hours of power—from 3 to 5 a.m.—for laundry and cooking. "They turned it on around 3 a.m. and off again at 5 a.m.," explained Alain, the father of that household.
Earlier, in February, a different mother showcased her routine of washing accumulated laundry before preparing lunch for work. Meanwhile, a user reported over 40 hours without electricity in March, resulting in spoiled food.
This pattern is echoed in numerous accounts: "Every day, wake up with the worry of doing laundry quickly before they cut the power," shared one Cuban mother on social media. Another lamented, "No one cares about the sacrifice of putting a meal on the table."
Cuba's ongoing power crisis, persisting since late 2024, shows no signs of improvement. According to the Unión Eléctrica, on Friday, May 8, the peak power shortage reached 1,876 MW at 8:40 p.m., with outages affecting the entire day.
The projected deficit for the nighttime peak was 1,690 MW, with only 1,510 MW available against a demand of 3,200 MW. In April, the worst day saw an impact of 1,945 MW, disrupting up to 62% of the country simultaneously.
In many areas, blackouts exceed 18 hours daily, with some residents receiving just two hours of electricity a day. The disruptions have resulted in more than 2,040 MW of outages during the year's worst moments.
The human toll is severe. The report "Raising Children in Darkness" by the organization Casa Palanca highlights cases of mothers suffering from chronic fatigue, emotional breakdowns, and isolation directly caused by the lack of electricity. Yusimí, one of the interviewed mothers, summed up her feelings in three words: "Want to scream, cry, or disappear."
The Cuban regime admitted in December 2025 that power outages would persist into 2026, promising only a "slight improvement," according to statements from Minister Vicente de la O Levy, a promise starkly contradicted by the reality faced each dawn.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
Why are Cuban mothers adapting to early morning routines?
Cuban mothers are adjusting their schedules to early mornings because the electricity often returns during the early hours, allowing them to cook, do laundry, and prepare for the day before the power cuts out again.
How severe is Cuba's power crisis?
Cuba's power crisis is severe, with outages affecting most of the country and lasting over 18 hours daily in some areas. This has led to significant human and economic challenges.
What impact has the power crisis had on Cuban families?
The power crisis has taken a heavy toll on Cuban families, leading to chronic fatigue, emotional distress, and the loss of perishable food due to prolonged outages.