An elderly Cuban woman has gained widespread attention on Facebook after expressing her outrage over the severe power crisis plaguing the nation: enduring 23 hours straight without electricity, unable to cook, and trapped in unbearable heat.
The video, recorded by Juan Luis Vasallo Palomo at the request of the woman, his neighbor, quickly garnered over 90,000 views, highlighting how deeply her complaint resonated with a weary population.
The woman, named Gina, criticized the sporadic nighttime electricity supply. "It's a deception, a trick they play on us, because we need it during the day to prepare food, if there's any to cook," she remarked, her voice a blend of fatigue and anger.
The Unresolved Paradox of Water and Power
Gina further described a frustrating situation the regime seems unable to resolve: electricity and water are never available simultaneously. "When they provide water, there's no power, and when there's power, there's no water," she lamented.
She issued a direct accusation: "This is an abuse against the people, because the leaders are living as they please. They have everything delivered to their homes."
"They're slowly killing us," she concluded.
Widespread Acknowledgment of the Crisis
Gina's grievances are not isolated. Even the regime has acknowledged that 2.7 million Cubans face issues accessing water, while international bodies such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimate that number to be 3.5 million. A significant factor is the lack of electrical power for water pumping.
According to the official report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), on Tuesday, the National Electric System had a capacity of just 1,223 MW against a demand of 2,464 MW, predicting a shortfall of 1,831 MW during peak hours.
Impact on Cuba's Aging Population
In September, power outages exceeding 2,000 MW occurred on at least 23 days, and Cuba has already experienced eight nationwide blackouts in 2026 alone, the latest being on September 18, when the system completely collapsed.
The elderly are among the hardest hit by this crisis. Cuba is the oldest nation in Latin America, with over 2.5 million people aged 60 or older. With a minimum pension of 4,000 pesos—less than 10 U.S. dollars at the informal exchange rate—and lacking family support networks due to mass emigration, many elderly Cubans are facing their golden years in conditions of extreme vulnerability.
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Water Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
Cuba's power outages are primarily due to the inadequate capacity of the National Electric System, which often cannot meet the demand, leading to significant shortfalls, especially during peak hours.
How do the power outages affect access to water?
The power outages disrupt the operation of water pumps, causing inconsistent water supply as electric power and water availability do not coincide, impacting millions of Cubans.
How are elderly Cubans coping with the crisis?
Elderly Cubans, many of whom live on minimal pensions and without family support due to emigration, are particularly vulnerable, struggling to manage daily needs amidst the combined challenges of power and water shortages.