A resident of Havana raised concerns on Monday about a prolonged power outage in her building, which has been without electricity for five consecutive days following a transformer explosion. This dire situation has left families without water, with spoiled food, and has forced children to sleep on the rooftop to escape the oppressive heat.
The building is situated on Ayuntamiento Street, between Lombillo and San Pedro, in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, just a short distance from the iconic Havana square.
"We have no water, all the food has spoiled, and there's a stench in the hallways. There are bedridden neighbors, children under two crying at night. Several neighbors are suffering from or recovering from dengue," reported Rosa María Rodríguez on Facebook.
The lack of electricity has driven some children to find sleep outside their homes. "Children are sleeping on the rooftop and going to school the next day because the heat is unbearable," Rodríguez shared.
She further claimed that residents are struggling to have the equipment fixed and highlighted the existence of informal payments to expedite such repairs.
"If you don't pay, they won't fix the transformer. If you don't use other means, it won't get fixed. The response is: some people have waited 10 days or more, so just be patient," she stated.
Similar complaints have surfaced in other neighborhoods across the capital. In July, reports emerged of charges ranging from 70,000 to 100,000 Cuban pesos, and even $200, to secure the repair or replacement of faulty transformers.
Rodríguez also used irony to describe the stark contrast she observes from her darkened home.
"From my window, I can see the Ministry of Agriculture with its lights on... I'll find out if there's a way to swap for one of their offices so I can at least sleep or maybe bathe for a night," she wrote.
This ordeal unfolds amidst the severe degradation of the capital's electrical infrastructure. On average, 25 transformers in Havana are damaged daily; on some days, the number has exceeded 60.
The crisis extends far beyond the capital. On July 30, Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged that some Cuban communities have endured up to 105 consecutive days without electricity.
Meanwhile, the immediate repercussions fall on families: spoiled food, sleepless nights, and homes with children, the sick, and bedridden individuals grappling with days of no electricity or water.
Understanding Havana's Power Outage Crisis
What caused the power outage near Revolution Square?
The power outage was caused by the explosion of a transformer near the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana.
How long have residents been without electricity?
Residents have been without electricity for five consecutive days.
What impact has the power outage had on the community?
The community is facing a lack of water, spoiled food, and children being forced to sleep on rooftops due to the heat.