On Tuesday, Lisa Robaina Acosta took to Facebook to share a poignant account of the stark neglect faced by the elderly living in the rural areas of Cienfuegos' Circuito Sur. Her grandfather, who resides in the Arimao community of Cumanayagua, turned 88, yet only she managed to visit him. Despite living just thirty minutes away, her aunts were unable to make the journey due to a lack of transportation.
The elderly man, a veteran of the Escambray bandit conflicts and an Angola war fighter, had groomed himself in anticipation of greeting his four daughters. However, none of them were able to visit.
“What could an 88-year-old man wish for, other than spending his special day with daughters and grandchildren whom he seldom sees?” Robaina Acosta expressed.
Isolation Amplified by Power Outages
Robaina Acosta’s primary grievance revolves around the complete disconnection her community faces during power outages. “Without electricity, the community is utterly cut off. There's not even a public phone available for basic needs. ETECSA completely fails us under these circumstances. I experienced this firsthand while staying with my grandparents, and it left me heartbroken,” she noted.
According to her account, blackouts in that area can extend from a day and a half to three days. In such instances, there is no way to inform family or contact a hospital in case of a medical emergency.
“A person could die, and those who need to know would only find out once the power returns,” she warned.
Worsening Energy Crisis
This situation is exacerbated by a broader energy crisis. On Tuesday, the Electric Union reported a shortfall of 1,630 MW in the early hours, with projections of up to a 2,055 MW deficit during the nighttime peak—one of the highest recorded so far in 2026.
Community in Decline
Founded in 1975, the Arimao community consists of just eight buildings and around 800 residents, according to EcuRed. Robaina Acosta’s grandparents are among the few original settlers still living in the area.
The transportation system in Cienfuegos has nearly collapsed. Out of a fleet of 233 vehicles, only 19 were operational under a leasing model in 2025, as reported by the 5 de Septiembre newspaper. In May 2026, the Ministry of Transportation cut interprovincial routes to three times a week and reduced national train services to bi-weekly departures.
Struggles of the Elderly
Robaina Acosta highlighted additional hardships faced by the elderly in her community: pensions that are insufficient, the inability to get water to upper floors without a costly turbine, and difficulty accessing food.
A survey conducted by ASIC among 506 retirees across five provinces in April 2026 found that 98.8% feel abandoned by institutions, and 99% claim their pensions do not cover basic needs, with informal exchange rates giving them an income of merely seven to nine dollars per month.
She recounted witnessing elderly residents die alone and neglected, their political affiliations, combat histories, and pensions offering no solace. “I don’t even know the face of the Province Secretary, the municipal leader, or the governors,” she quoted as a common sentiment among the elders.
In March 2026, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security acknowledged that “there are no resources to support vulnerable individuals,” while the mass exodus of young people leaves more elderly without family support networks.
“I write not just for my grandfather; for my grandparents. I write for other grandparents who lack daughters and granddaughters like mine,” concluded Robaina Acosta in her post.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Elderly in Rural Cuba
What are the main issues faced by the elderly in rural Cienfuegos?
Elderly residents in rural Cienfuegos face severe isolation due to lack of transportation and communication means, frequent and prolonged power outages, insufficient pensions, and difficulty accessing basic necessities like food and water.
How does the energy crisis affect the rural communities in Cienfuegos?
The energy crisis leads to frequent power outages which can last from a day and a half to three days, leaving communities without any means of communication and unable to address emergencies effectively.
What transportation issues are impacting residents in Cienfuegos?
Transportation is nearly paralyzed with only a small fraction of vehicles operational. This severely limits travel, making it difficult for residents to visit family or access services.