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In the midst of the serious energy crisis on the island, the official newspaper Girón, based in Matanzas, published an article on Tuesday that attempts to romanticize the frequent blackouts in Cuba, describing how, despite the lack of electricity, the streets of the province "are illuminated by the resurgence of children's games."
According to the text, the energy crisis has signified a "return" to lost childhoods, when children played on the sidewalks, hid until dusk, and chased after a cloth ball, in a world without screens or electronic devices.
Through this narrative, the article suggests that the blackouts - which last 23 hours a day - have returned to the population a piece of what has supposedly always been missed: a simpler life, connected to the street and the community.
However, the reality that thousands of Cuban families experience is far from this idyllic image. The energy crisis, instead of being a source of nostalgia or a rediscovery of joyful moments, has severely impacted the mothers and fathers on the island, who are facing serious challenges in meeting their children's basic needs.
The lack of electricity has complicated essential tasks such as food preparation, a daily concern that has intensified with the scarcity of resources and the inability to cook properly.
For Cuban mothers, power outages are not an excuse to reminisce about old times, but rather a constant struggle to feed their children and ensure their well-being, especially since a few decades ago the country shifted to a different energy matrix for cooking food.
Without access to appliances for food preparation, many must resort to precarious methods such as wood or charcoal cooking.
Currently, thousands of Cuban families are still waiting for real and sustainable solutions to a crisis that not only affects the present but also jeopardizes the future of the new generations.
The streets of Matanzas, instead of being a symbol of childhood joy, also serve as a reminder of the inequalities and shortages that persist on the island; and a confirmation that the regime tries to maintain a narrative that downplays the daily suffering of Cuban families in the name of a supposed nostalgia.
Frequently asked questions about the energy crisis in Cuba and its impact on daily life
How is the energy crisis affecting Cuban families?
The energy crisis in Cuba has severely impacted the daily lives of Cuban families. The lack of electricity has complicated essential tasks such as food preparation, forcing many families to resort to makeshift methods like cooking with firewood or charcoal. The scarcity of resources and the inability to cook properly have intensified the daily struggle to meet basic household needs. Cuban mothers, in particular, face serious challenges in ensuring the wellbeing of their children in such an adverse environment.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented blackouts of up to 72 hours as part of an electrical contingency strategy to justify the energy system's inability to meet demand. This measure has institutionalized prolonged blackouts as a state policy, severely impacting the daily lives and economic activities of Cubans. Furthermore, the government has distributed firewood in some provinces to allow families to cook, but these solutions are insufficient to effectively address the energy crisis facing the country.
How are Cubans innovating to cope with the lack of electricity and gas?
Cubans have turned to ingenuity to face the energy crisis. Without access to liquefied gas and with coal at astronomical prices, many families have improvised systems to generate electricity or cook. Some have used solar panels and motorcycle batteries to power kitchen appliances, while others have adapted traditional methods such as cooking with firewood or coal, despite the poor quality of the supplies. Creativity and popular resourcefulness have become essential tools for coping with daily challenges.
What impact do power outages have on the health and well-being of Cubans?
Prolonged blackouts in Cuba have had a negative impact on the health and well-being of the population. The lack of electricity affects everything from food refrigeration to access to basic services like drinking water. Daily power outages have also impacted the emotional well-being of Cubans, who face constant stress due to uncertainty and difficulties in planning daily life. The most vulnerable sectors, such as children and the elderly, are particularly affected by the lack of essential services, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis on the island.
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