A Cuban residing in the United States shared a video on social media where she candidly recounts her most recent trip to Cuba. "Thank God I was there for just a short time because, truthfully, I was already eager to return home," confessed the mother, who documented her stay on the island amidst blackouts, shortages, and a constant sense of discomfort.
"As I told my son, I was quite predisposed, and so was he. The truth is that I really don't like going at all. Sometimes I go out of obligation because I still have family there. But if it were up to me, I would choose never to go back again," he asserted. And he was emphatic: "I don't want to see how the situation is there anymore. That chapter and that cycle closed in my life a long time ago."
During her testimony, the Cuban woman reported on the prolonged blackouts she faced: “They last more than 10 to 12 hours without electricity. It’s a critical situation.” She also explained how they had to cook using resistors: “What I recorded was a heating element to warm the milk because there’s not even gas. It’s very difficult to find, and when you do, it’s incredibly expensive.”
It showed how they prepared food in complete darkness: "Here we were making tamales with the power out completely, all day long. The electricity goes off from 9 in the morning until 9:30 or 10 at night. And thank God we weren't hit by any power outages in the early morning, but it all depends on when they cut the power."
Despite the shortages, he also expressed that food in Cuba still has a special flavor: “One really enjoys the food because the taste is somewhat different from what we are used to.”
In his account, he also showed a portable flashlight that he brought from the United States, which was highly valued by his family in Cuba: “Thanks to this flashlight I brought, everyone was thrilled because look at how brightly it shines. The good thing is that you can also charge it with solar power, and it has a port to charge phones. It’s a great purchase. The truth is, there is a need for everything there, and something so small solves a really big problem.”
The journey, although brief, was filled with difficult moments. It showed how they cooked with portable stoves and how, in the end, their son fell ill: “That was the last day because the next day he got sick.”
The testimony sparked a wave of reactions from Cubans on social media, many of them relating to his words. “I understand you, I stopped going years ago as well,” commented a follower. Another wrote: “That’s how it is for me, but my parents are there.” Several expressed sadness or resignation: “I prefer to send them everything rather than go; it's very sad,” “It’s terrible how life is in Cuba,” “I last went 13 years ago.”
Other messages presented a different perspective, focusing on family ties: “There are families that one must visit; creating the right conditions is what truly matters,” “When one lacks humility, that’s how they think. Being Cuban is in the blood, regardless of scarcity or luxury.”
This testimony adds to those of other Cuban women residing in the U.S. who have shared their recent experiences on the island. In May, another Cuban mother stated upon her return that “every day is worse, no exaggeration”, and urged those living abroad not to travel to Cuba, claiming that “you will come back feeling depressed, sad, bad.”
In contrast, other videos have defended family reunions. In June, a Cuban who traveled to see her father stated that “I didn't come for a government, I came for the man who taught me to walk”, in a story that was widely shared on social media.
The protagonist of this latest testimony had already garnered attention in April with another video where she talked about her life in the U.S. caring for her son and grandmother, where she confessed that “it has become quite complicated for me, but I am grateful to be able to do it from home”.
The testimonies of Cubans in exile reignite the debate: Is it worth returning to a Cuba immersed in decay? For some, the answer lies in family; for others, in avoiding the pain of a reality they can no longer endure.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy and Social Crisis in Cuba
Why do prolonged blackouts occur in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are a consequence of the energy crisis the country is facing, exacerbated by failures in thermoelectric plants, lack of fuel, and a deteriorated energy infrastructure. Despite the government's promises to improve the situation, the reality remains critical, with power cuts lasting more than 12 hours, impacting the daily lives of thousands of Cuban families.
How does the lack of electricity impact the daily lives of Cubans?
The lack of electricity in Cuba seriously affects the food supply, rest, and quality of life of the population. Families have to come up with ways to cook without gas, preserve food without refrigeration, and carry out basic tasks under extreme conditions. Moreover, the prolonged blackouts exacerbate the economic and social crisis, creating an atmosphere of resignation and discontent among the citizens.
Why do some Cubans avoid returning to the island?
Many Cubans living abroad avoid returning to the island due to the precarious conditions and the lack of basic services, such as electricity and gas, which significantly affect daily life. Although some return for family commitments, most prefer to avoid reliving the pain of a reality they can no longer endure, choosing instead to support their loved ones from a distance.
How are Cuban families coping with the energy crisis?
Cuban families resort to improvised methods to face the energy crisis. They cook with charcoal or portable stoves, use solar lanterns and external batteries to charge devices, and share resources like generators with neighbors. Despite the adversities, the resilience and ingenuity of Cubans exemplify perseverance and solidarity in challenging times.
Filed under:
