A Cuban mother named Sisi Aguilera released a powerful video on Facebook this past Friday, urging her fellow citizens to document and share the hardships faced in their homes despite the fear of government retaliation. In just a few hours, the video garnered over 7,200 views, 572 reactions, and 81 comments.
This call to action came just a day after Cuba experienced its fourth nationwide blackout this year, on Friday, July 10. The collapse of the National Electric System left approximately 73% of the population without power.
"Everyone knows there's no freedom of speech in Cuba, that we're afraid to reveal our reality because we don't know if they'll come knocking. But we've reached a point where there's no turning back. Our children can't sleep; some don't have food," Aguilera expressed in the post's description.
In her video, the content creator uses her camera to capture the inside of her own home, her mother's, and those of several neighbors, allowing the images to speak volumes.
"Showing the reality of our homes could be a bold step. It's crucial for the world to see and understand that this is a humanitarian crisis, that Cubans are suffering," she emphasized.
The heart of her message targets the fear that immobilizes many Cubans: "Exposing the truth isn't a crime, nor a sin. It's a frightening reality because our children are going hungry."
Aguilera tagged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the official account of the U.S. presidency in her post, directing her plea to American authorities with a simple message: "Cuba cries for help."
The video emerges during one of the most critical phases of Cuba's energy crisis. In Matanzas, outages have lasted up to 87 consecutive hours; in Havana, the average is 15 hours daily, with reports of up to 35 hours in certain neighborhoods. As of Saturday, only 12.6% of the capital had partially restored electricity.
The electrical crisis exacerbates an already severe food emergency. A survey from May 2026 indicated that 33.9% of Cuban households have at least one member who goes to bed hungry, a nine-point increase from 2024. Additionally, 80.4% of families are unable to cook due to the blackouts, and 48.3% lose food due to lack of refrigeration.
The fear Aguilera describes is supported by stark statistics. A staggering 92% of young Cubans refrain from expressing themselves on social media out of fear of reprisal, and Law 178/2025 criminalizes the dissemination of images and so-called "misinformation" on digital platforms.
In 2025, there were 529 arbitrary arrests and over 3,100 documented repressive actions by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights.
Despite this, more Cubans are shedding their fear and utilizing social media to document their reality. Aguilera's video joins other viral testimonies from July 2026, such as a young woman who recorded 80 hours without electricity or water, and Subdraine Portales, a mother who in June highlighted the irony of Varadero being lit for tourists while the rest of the island remains in darkness.
"Whether you're an influencer, a content creator, a neighbor, or just someone who follows me but is afraid to show this reality, there are countless ways to do it," Aguilera concluded in her appeal.
Understanding Cuba's Current Crisis
What prompted Sisi Aguilera to post her video?
Sisi Aguilera posted her video after Cuba experienced its fourth nationwide blackout this year, which left a significant portion of the population without power.
How severe is the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is critical, with areas like Matanzas experiencing outages lasting up to 87 consecutive hours and Havana averaging 15 hours of blackouts daily.
What impact does the energy crisis have on food security in Cuba?
The energy crisis severely affects food security, with a significant percentage of households unable to cook or preserve food due to prolonged blackouts.
Why do many Cubans fear expressing themselves on social media?
Many Cubans fear expressing themselves on social media due to potential reprisals, as highlighted by the 92% of young Cubans who refrain from doing so for fear of government retaliation.