Over 100 households in the town of Puerto Padre, located in the province of Las Tunas, have been left without electricity and potable water for 13 consecutive days following a transformer explosion. This issue has been highlighted in a report by elToque's Citizen Report section.
The blackout began on the evening of June 3, when a transformer situated at the corner of 25 de Diciembre and Jesús Menéndez streets exploded. Since then, the local residents have not had their electrical service restored even for a single day, and the lack of power has also halted the water supply.
Authorities' Indifference
Efforts by the community to seek assistance from local authorities have been met with neglect. On June 10, the town's Intendant briefly met with the affected residents, but the meeting lasted less than a minute as he was preoccupied with another engagement.
"We weren't asking for a transformer, just a water truck. His response was blunt: there's no water, no transformers, no fuel, there's nothing," shared a resident who reached out to elToque.
Two days later, the Delegate assured them that the transformer was being repaired and would soon be installed, but this promise was also unfulfilled.
Health Risks for Children
The situation has escalated into a health crisis for the area's children. "Kids are bathing in stored rainwater, and many are showing signs of poisoning. We have no source for water. They've promised us water trucks and updates, but all we get are lies. We are desperate and don't know what to do," lamented the same resident.
Wider Impact in Las Tunas
The crisis in Puerto Padre is not an isolated incident within the province. In the nearby Manatí municipality, residents had been without a stable water supply for over a month as of May 31, due to a broken pumping station.
In March, the black market price for water trucks in the province soared to as much as 7,000 pesos per trip, a cost that is unaffordable for most families.
In May, the Provincial Government Council acknowledged that Las Tunas was pumping only 420 to 430 liters per second, well below the 600 to 700 liters needed for a stable supply cycle.
Energy Crisis Deepens
Puerto Padre's plight is part of the most severe energy collapse Cuba has faced in decades. On June 15, the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant increased the national projected power deficit to 2,085 MW, just two days before this report was released.
Puerto Padre has a history of social unrest due to these shortages. In September 2025, residents of Maniabón, within the same municipality, protested demanding electricity, water, and food.
The crackdown included minors, with arrests involving a 16-year-old pregnant girl and a 17-year-old boy.
By late May 2026, approximately 2.7 million Cubans were experiencing daily water shortages, according to official data, as the water system operated with only 37% of the fuel needed to function properly.
Understanding the Crisis in Puerto Padre
What caused the power and water outage in Puerto Padre?
The outage was triggered by the explosion of a transformer on June 3, which led to the loss of electricity and consequently halted the water supply.
How have local authorities responded to the crisis?
Local authorities have largely ignored the problem. Promises to repair the transformer and provide water have not been fulfilled, leaving residents without any resolution.
What are the health implications of the outage for the community?
The lack of clean water has led to a health crisis, especially for children, who have been using rainwater for bathing and have shown symptoms of poisoning.