Exiled Cuban journalist Suleidy Peñate Ramos has taken to Facebook to expose the severe psychological distress caused by prolonged blackouts in Cuba. Her video draws on the harrowing account of a friend still living on the island.
In her nearly 12-minute video, Peñate Ramos shares the emotional message from her friend, described as a "very sensible" person. After enduring over 45 hours without power, her friend shouted from her balcony until she was hoarse, without any neighbors joining her protest.
"I was left alone; everyone around thought the same but no one joined me. They listened in silence, and when I lost my voice, those who could, turned on their generators and continued their lives as if nothing happened," the message reads.
The Collective Apathy and Its Impact
The friend expressed shame and helplessness over the collective inaction: "They act just like the government they quietly criticize, which leaves me with no pride in saying I'm Cuban."
Before relocating to Lisbon, Peñate Ramos worked at Perlavisión and as the Director of Information at Canal Habana. In her video, she intersperses this story with data from a scientific study by Cuban psychologists Yunier Broche-Pérez and Zoylen Fernández-Fleites, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, involving 415 adults surveyed between July and November 2025.
Alarming Psychological Effects
The study's findings are alarming: 55.4% suffer from extremely severe depression, 66% from severe anxiety, 65.8% from extreme stress, and over 79% experience high levels of irritability.
"These levels of psychological harm are only comparable to those caused by wars and major natural disasters," states Peñate Ramos in her video, which has garnered over 136,000 views and nearly 9,500 reactions.
Normalization of Crisis Conditions
Peñate Ramos also criticizes the growing acceptance of the energy crisis among Cubans, who now settle for just three or four hours of electricity a day. They meticulously schedule cooking, laundry, and chores during these limited hours, even waking at 3 AM to make use of the power.
"It's unacceptable for people to start settling for what is essentially abnormal. We're in the 21st century. Where is Cuba headed?" she questions.
"They're gradually shutting down the Cuban people," she concludes. "It's not just electricity that's missing, it's freedom."
Additional Challenges
The electrical crisis is compounded by water shortages and exorbitant food prices, with a single egg costing over 200 Cuban pesos and a pound of meat reaching 800 pesos, only to spoil due to lack of refrigeration.
Peñate Ramos also highlights the inaccessibility of alternative energy solutions—solar panels, portable batteries—which are unaffordable for most, priced at hundreds of dollars, and only available to those with relatives abroad.
This video continues a series of critiques from exile. In mid-July, Peñate Ramos released another viral message demanding apologies and reparations from the regime to the Cuban people, which quickly amassed nearly 15,000 views.
As of 2026, Cuba faces its most severe energy crisis in decades, with a minimum of six nationwide blackouts recorded this year, and some provinces experiencing power cuts lasting up to 20 hours daily.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Its Effects
What are the psychological impacts of the blackouts in Cuba?
The blackouts are causing severe psychological distress, with high percentages of the population experiencing extreme depression, anxiety, stress, and irritability.
How are Cubans coping with limited electricity?
Cubans are adjusting by scheduling essential activities during brief power windows, even waking up in the early hours to utilize electricity.
What other issues compound the energy crisis in Cuba?
In addition to power outages, Cuba faces water shortages and soaring food prices, which are exacerbated by the lack of refrigeration.