Yasmina Ornella, a Cuban teacher, took to Facebook to share a harrowing account of her living conditions in Cuba. She describes surviving without gas or water, enduring constant power outages, and being forced to cook with wood despite suffering from a neurological disease that severely limits her mobility.
"This is how I'm cooking, with wood, because even charcoal is out of reach here... It's sold as if it's gold, only for the wealthy. Look at the burns on my hands, trying to light the wood just to eat, after hauling water because there isn't any, unable because I'm a patient with transverse myelitis, and no social worker offers support," she wrote.
Yasmina included photos of a makeshift iron stove surrounded by ashes and wood, along with images showing visible burns and injuries on her arms, which she says are the result of her efforts to prepare meals amid scarcity.
Enduring Health Challenges Amidst Scarcity
Transverse myelitis, the inflammatory disease Yasmina battles, affects the spinal cord and can lead to partial paralysis, chronic pain, loss of sensation, and breathing difficulties. Despite her condition, she claims to face her daily struggles alone, without assistance from social services.
Her story also reveals the ever-present fear she lives with. Just days ago, she experienced a severe crisis at night.
"One of my legs was paralyzed, and I could barely breathe. I couldn't get up to ask for help. Thankfully, a good friend on WhatsApp kept me company and encouraged me... I eventually fell asleep," she recounted.
A Tragic Loss Amidst Crisis
The most heart-wrenching part of her narrative is the memory of her mother's death, which she attributes to the constant hardships they faced.
"My mom had a stroke because of all this. That dreadful day, she told me, 'I can't bear this heat with these power outages,'" Yasmina recalled.
According to Yasmina, her mother had been unable to obtain medication to control her blood pressure for some time. When she suffered the stroke, it happened during a blackout, and no ambulance was available. Neighbors managed to find a tricycle to take her to the hospital near midnight.
Once there, Yasmina was told by hospital staff that they had all the necessary resources. However, a former student who worked as a doctor revealed a different story.
"Teacher, that's a lie, there's nothing here. What they say when someone of that age is brought in is, 'They've lived long enough,'" she reported.
Yasmina says those words will never leave her mind.
"My mother died talking about water, electricity, and scarcity, with tears in her eyes, worried she was leaving me alone in the world and sick," she wrote.
The Broader Cuban Struggle
Yasmina's testimony mirrors a grim reality faced by millions of Cubans. Water scarcity continues to worsen across the island. Official statistics released this year indicate that nearly 2.7 million people suffer from severe lack of access to potable water, and approximately 10 million receive services intermittently.
The crisis is exacerbated because 87% of the pumping system relies on electricity, meaning prolonged power outages leave entire communities without water for days.
In addition, there's a shortage of fuel for cooking. The scarcity of charcoal has driven up its price, making it unaffordable for many families. The Food Monitor Program estimates that over a third of the Cuban population has resorted to using wood or charcoal for cooking.
The healthcare system is also collapsing. By March 2026, around 80% of domestically produced medications were in short supply, with millions of patients with chronic illnesses facing treatment interruptions due to medication shortages and the effects of the energy crisis on healthcare services.
In this dire situation, Yasmina sums up her reality with a phrase that has touched hundreds on social media:
"This isn't life, not even for animals. No one, absolutely no one, deserves this. It's criminal, it's inhumane."
Understanding Cuba's Current Crisis
What are the main challenges faced by Yasmina Ornella?
Yasmina Ornella faces severe challenges including a lack of gas and water, constant power outages, and the need to cook with wood despite her neurological condition of transverse myelitis.
How does the power outage crisis affect water supply in Cuba?
Approximately 87% of Cuba's water pumping system relies on electricity. Therefore, prolonged power outages result in communities being without water for extended periods.
What impact has the crisis had on Cuba's healthcare system?
The healthcare system is struggling with about 80% of locally produced medications in short supply, affecting millions of patients with chronic illnesses who experience treatment interruptions due to medication shortages and power outages.