A Cuban mother named Arianelis Ramírez has shared a poignant reflection on social media, highlighting the hardships that power outages impose on Cuban families. Her story is particularly touching due to her daughter's cerebral palsy, and it has sparked a wave of reactions online.
In a video, Arianelis is seen preparing a sofrito in a pan over a makeshift stove during yet another power cut. She describes how these outages create severe challenges for her family, especially for her daughter with cerebral palsy: "When the fans lose power, she starts crying, drenched in sweat, bothered by mosquitoes, and the worst part is the lack of notice—we never know when it will come back."
The scene in the video speaks volumes: a young woman hunches over a cast-iron skillet set on bricks and wood, using a small fan to stoke the flames while cooking beans in the patio of her turquoise-walled home.
"A day without electricity in Cuba is more than just power loss; it's an ordeal felt in every aspect of life," Arianelis writes in her post’s description. "The heat becomes unbearable, food risks spoiling, and daily routines either halt or become much more challenging."
Unprecedented Energy Crisis
Her account comes amid Cuba's most severe electrical crisis in recent memory. By June 2026, the power generation shortfall reached nearly 2,000 MW during peak times, with only 970-1,090 MW available to meet a demand of up to 3,200 MW, according to reports illustrating the brink of an electrical collapse.
Blackouts lasting over 20 hours a day have been reported in provinces like Granma, Holguín, and Matanzas, where residents endured up to 85 consecutive hours without power from June 14 to 17. In Havana, outages stretch up to 22 hours.
Widespread Impact Across the Island
Cuba's electrical grid has experienced seven total failures over 18 months, including a nationwide blackout on March 16, 2026, that left the entire island without electricity for 29 hours. Since December 2025, the country has not received fuel shipments.
Arianelis's situation is not unique. A mother in Ciego de Ávila reported blackouts exceeding 22 hours, complicating the care of her two severely ill children. Another child with cerebral palsy was denied an ambulance due to a fuel shortage, amidst the collapse of the healthcare system.
The crisis has also deprived 2.7 million people of potable water, as 87% of Cuba's water systems rely on the electrical grid. Between June 17 and 19, nighttime protests and pot-banging demonstrations shook Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba.
Psychological Toll on the Population
A study released in May 2026 revealed the psychological devastation wrought by the crisis: 55.4% of Cuban adults suffer from severe depression, 66% experience intense anxiety, and 65.8% endure extreme stress.
Arianelis concluded her post with a sentiment that resonates with thousands of Cubans both on the island and abroad: "Resist, hold on to hope for better days that never seem to arrive."
The Impact of Power Outages in Cuba
How are power outages affecting daily life in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba disrupt daily life by halting routines, spoiling food, and increasing discomfort due to heat and mosquito exposure, significantly affecting the quality of life.
What is causing the current electrical crisis in Cuba?
The crisis is due to a severe shortfall in power generation capacity, exacerbated by the lack of fuel shipments since late 2025, leading to frequent and prolonged blackouts.
What psychological effects has the crisis had on the Cuban population?
The crisis has led to widespread psychological distress, with over half the adult population experiencing severe depression, anxiety, and stress.