The ongoing crisis in Cuba concerning water supply and energy is deteriorating rapidly. As the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) anticipates an unprecedented shortfall of 2,380 MW this Wednesday, potentially cutting power to about 74% of the nation, residents in Havana and Camagüey are increasingly voicing their frustrations over the lack of electricity and potable water. This combination is making daily life nearly unbearable.
This anticipated shortfall eclipses previous records set on July 5 and 17, highlighting the decline of the National Electric System, which has faced multiple breakdowns and historic deficits this month.
Water Supply Crisis in Havana
In Havana, the electricity crisis directly impacts the water supply. Approximately 87% of the distribution system relies on electrical pump stations, meaning that outages leave hundreds of thousands without water.
Over 500,000 residents in Havana have been affected by water shortages in July, a significant increase from the 376,055 impacted in May and 200,000 in April.
Social Media as a Voice for Desperation
Amid these challenges, social media has become a crucial outlet for those enduring the crisis. Marielsy Gamboa, a resident of San Pedro in Cotorro, shared a heartfelt message capturing the exhaustion felt by many Cuban families.
"We are dying, please, may countries unite and do something, how tough this is, I'm writing nonstop through tears. Praying for a divine intervention, my almighty God, forgive us, we can't take it anymore," she wrote.
Gamboa further criticized the sporadic nature of the electricity service, describing it as akin to a discotheque where power flickers on for three minutes before disappearing for hours.
She also lamented that complaints to the Electric Company and authorities have gone unanswered. "We can't even leave this country because we have no money; if we did, we would have left already," she expressed, even offering her home in exchange for two tickets to leave Cuba.
Extended Water Shortages in Cotorro
The situation is equally dire in Cotorro's Alberro neighborhood, where Indira Miyar reports being without water for several months.
"How long will this disrespect and lack of consideration continue?" she questioned on social media. Miyar criticized that water trucks only supply certain buildings "where important people live or where they pay," leaving numerous families with young children, seniors, and the sick waiting helplessly.
The scarcity has also led to skyrocketing prices in the informal market. Reports from Havana's Facebook groups indicate that a water truck can cost up to 60,000 Cuban pesos, a prohibitive amount compared to the monthly minimum wage of 3,210 pesos. Even a 55-gallon plastic tank sells for between 2,000 and 2,500 pesos.
Challenges in Camagüey
In Camagüey, water shortages stem from electrical issues caused by recent heavy rains. State media outlet Cadena Agramonte reported that the Cubano-Búlgara pumping station, the city's main water source, remains out of service due to electrical failures.
According to Osmany Muñoz Lezcano, the maintenance director at the Water Company, the facility "has not been able to rejoin the supply system in the area" as the electrical issues persist.
Consequently, only some low-lying areas of Camagüey's capital receive water from the Pontezuela and Máximo reservoirs, and even then, in insufficient volumes to meet demand.
An Overarching Crisis
The problem extends beyond these two provinces. Official figures reveal that around 2.7 million Cubans lack regular access to potable water, and nearly 10 million receive service intermittently.
July 2026 marks the worst month of the year for the national electric system, with four network collapses and a recorded deficit of 2,341 MW on July 10, a figure set to be exceeded this Wednesday.
Lack of Effective Solutions
So far, the government has not offered viable measures to reverse the crisis. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz blamed the situation's deterioration on the U.S. embargo, labeling it "genocide." Meanwhile, Miguel Díaz-Canel called for better organization of the blackouts but did not present a plan to address the structural issues of the electric system.
The authorities have promised to add six thermoelectric units to provide approximately 400 MW of additional generation, a capacity the government itself acknowledges is inadequate to meet national demand.
In the meantime, Marielsy Gamboa's plea encapsulates the feelings of countless Cubans struggling with blackouts, water shortages, and extreme heat.
"Help us, I wish this could reach the UN. Who cares about Cuba?" she wrote, urging her message to be shared "so it reaches where it needs to go."
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Water Crisis
What is causing the water and electricity crisis in Cuba?
The crisis is primarily due to the deteriorating National Electric System, which has faced numerous breakdowns and historic deficits, and an outdated water distribution system heavily reliant on electric pump stations.
How are residents coping with the shortages?
Residents are turning to social media to express their frustration and desperation. Many are struggling with inadequate water supply and sporadic electricity, making day-to-day life increasingly difficult.
What measures has the Cuban government proposed?
The government has promised to add six thermoelectric units to generate approximately 400 MW, though this is insufficient to meet the national demand. No substantive plans to address the root causes have been announced.