A Cuban mother, known on TikTok as Lucía (@luciamilagros6), shared a heart-wrenching account last Saturday of enduring seven days without electricity in Cuba. She described the oppressive heat, the swarming mosquitoes, and the anxiety of not knowing when the power would return.
"Seven days without power, sweltering heat, mosquitoes, and nights passed in uncertainty of when the electricity will be back. The heat has been unbearable, but the hardest part is going to bed each night and waking up each morning not knowing when the power will return," Lucía expressed in her video.
Surviving Without Basic Utilities
Lucía's testimony sheds light on a widespread issue across the island: without electricity, there is no water pumping, forcing her family to haul water from a cistern for essential household tasks. "Today we fetched water from the cistern to wash dishes, bathe, and handle some household needs, as that water isn't safe for drinking," she explained.
To prepare meals, her family resorted to methods normalized by the regime as alternatives amidst the energy collapse. "With some wood, a bit of charcoal, and a lot of determination, we managed to cook spaghetti and share with a few close people," Lucía recounted.
Acts of Kindness Amidst Crisis
Amid the hardship, a gesture of solidarity from abroad provided some relief. A person named Abril sent bottles of drinking water for Lucía's children. "Thanks to Abril, who kept my kids in mind and sent over bottles of water. In times like these, such gestures truly touch the heart," the mother expressed.
Lucía also highlighted the plight of the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and those without electric generators or rechargeable fans to combat the Caribbean summer heat.
Cuba's Unprecedented Energy Crisis
Lucía's situation is not unique. Cuba is experiencing its most severe energy crisis in history, with an electricity availability of barely 980 MW against a demand exceeding 2,500 MW, according to Union Eléctrica's data from last Thursday.
On May 14, the country recorded its largest power deficit ever: 2,174 MW, leaving 70% of the population without service simultaneously.
On June 4, a breakdown left 3.4 million people without electricity in Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo. In Havana, outages typically last over 20-22 hours daily, while in Granma, some circuits have reported more than 45 consecutive hours without service.
The Domino Effect of Electrical Shortages
The electrical crisis triggers a cascade of shortages that severely affect the most vulnerable. The national hydraulic system operates with only 37% of the fuel required for pumping, making every blackout a water outage. Approximately 2.7 million people face a complete lack of potable water, and around 10 million experience intermittent supply.
Thousands of families have reverted to cooking with charcoal and wood, a practice that President Miguel Díaz-Canel himself has advocated as an alternative amid the electrical system's collapse, as reported in energy situation updates from the island.
Lucía concluded her video with a reflection that encapsulates the resilience of those enduring the crisis: "The power will come back, but the gestures of love and solidarity are things one never forgets. And as long as there are good people, there will always be reasons to keep going."
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Water Crisis
What is causing Cuba's severe energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis due to a combination of outdated infrastructure, inadequate fuel supplies, and a demand for electricity that significantly exceeds the available supply.
How are families coping without electricity and water?
Families are coping by fetching water from cisterns for basic needs, cooking with wood and charcoal, and relying on support from the community and abroad for essentials like drinking water.
What steps has the Cuban government taken to address the crisis?
The Cuban government has urged the population to use alternative cooking methods such as charcoal and wood. However, the measures taken have been insufficient to address the root causes of the crisis.