A Russian resident of Central Havana has sparked laughter on social media after posting a video on Instagram, sharing her bewilderment at something quite extraordinary in Cuba: experiencing almost uninterrupted electricity for several consecutive days at her home.
Poli, known online as @la.rusita_cubana, filmed the reel from her high-rise apartment in the capital city and described it with a phrase that captures the irony: "Hey, while making the video, the power went out haha."
The content creator begins by expressing her anxiety: "I'm scared, really scared. I'm freaking out," before explaining the reason for her concern: "I'm from Central Havana, and for a few days now, we have barely experienced power outages. Out of the 24 hours in a day, we mostly have electricity."
From her window, Poli observes something equally unusual: "I live on a high floor and can see half of Havana, and everything is lit up. Water is coming in. My cistern is full."
Unusual Changes in Daily Life
The changes in her immediate environment also puzzle her. "Neighbors have stopped sleeping on the balconies," she notes, recalling the habit adopted during the worst blackouts to escape the heat. Now, clothes are hanging on those same balconies.
With her characteristic accent and humor, she sums up her confusion: "What's going on? I'm lost. There are lights everywhere. I don’t know who's coming, who's going, who's arriving."
Taking advantage of this rare stability, Poli decided to make a change: "My fridge has been empty for a while. And recently, I decided to buy seafood. I don't know why, but I’ve started liking crab. That crab goes well with my stomach and heart," she says, referring to the crab she bought, hoping it stays frozen: "I hope it doesn't spoil and remains frozen in my fridge."
Was she really talking about the crustacean or something else?
Context of Cuba's Energy Crisis
The video gains its full meaning against the backdrop of the severe electrical crisis Cuba faced throughout 2026. On September 13, the national maximum outage prediction was 1,965 MW, with only 1,285 MW of available generation against a demand of 3,270 MW.
Even Havana, historically shielded for political reasons, did not escape the prolonged blackouts. However, last week, the regime announced "zero impacts due to generation deficit" in the capital, although the Electric Company reported affected circuits and megawatts that same day.
In this context, the partial improvement Poli experiences in Central Havana is genuine but precarious, explaining her mix of relief and disbelief.
This isn't the first time the Russian captures the attention of social networks with her perspective on everyday life in the island. In April, Poli revealed she named her daughter "Apagonia," a direct reference to chronic power cuts, a video that sparked national debate and even reactions from Cuban public figures.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Situation
Why did the Russian resident express fear about continuous electricity?
The Russian resident, Poli, expressed fear because experiencing continuous electricity in her home in Central Havana is unusual. Typically, residents endure frequent power outages, making the extended provision of electricity surprising and somewhat unsettling for her.
What is the significance of naming her daughter "Apagonia"?
Poli named her daughter "Apagonia" as a direct reference to the chronic power cuts in Cuba. The name is a play on words, reflecting the frequent and severe blackouts that have become a part of everyday life on the island.