A Cuban woman identified as María Julia Gómez Pérez, a resident of Santa Clara, reported through a video on social media the precarious situation in which she survives while battling metastatic cancer. In the footage, she is seen cooking with firewood, fanning the flames with a piece of cardboard to prepare food for her 89-year-old mother and her bedridden sister.
"Here I am, I have already cooked the main dish and now I am making a little bit of congrís rice to give to my mother and sister. But this woman you see cooking has breast cancer, it has metastasized to her hip, her spine, her liver is full of tumors, and I think it’s also in her lungs," she recounted.
Gómez Pérez reported that, despite her health condition, the Cuban government has not granted her access to liquefied gas, forcing her to cook in a rudimentary manner, thereby exposing herself to toxic fumes. "Who can I thank? Fidel, Raúl, Díaz-Canel? They don't want to give me prioritized gas, and I have the right to it," she exclaimed.
In addition to her already delicate state of health, she bears the responsibility of caring for her 89-year-old mother and her bedridden sister, which worsens her situation. "I have to take care of myself, but I also have to take care of my mother and my bedridden sister," she said with frustration. She also spoke about the physical and emotional pain she faces: "I've been here for an hour or two doing this. I got up early to soften the beans, and when they were finally ready to make the rice and beans for the afternoon, the power went out," she said, visibly desperate.
Her testimony has had a strong impact on social media, where hundreds of people have expressed their solidarity and condemned the lack of governmental support. "God have mercy on our country," commented one user. "The people of Cuba no longer live, they only survive," added another. "The fat president lounging around while the people are dying," wrote an internet user with indignation. "Share this video, let the world see the suffering of Cuba," suggested another comment. "My respect and admiration for this woman, a true fighter," expressed one user. "May God intervene, we can’t take it anymore," added another.
A reflection of the Cuban crisis and the precariousness that the people endure
The case of María Julia Gómez Pérez adds to the growing wave of complaints about the energy and social crisis in Cuba. In recent months, prolonged blackouts have affected thousands of families, some of whom have had to resort to cooking with firewood or charcoal due to the lack of liquefied gas.
This Thursday, the Cuban Electric Union reported an electricity generation deficit exceeding 1,500 MW, resulting in power outages of up to 24 hours daily in various provinces. The state-run media, rather than acknowledging the severity of the situation, has attempted to downplay the problem, even going so far as to romanticize the blackouts as an opportunity to "recover lost customs".
Cases like that of Izzy (@izzys33), a young Cuban who shared on TikTok the difficulty of cooking with an alcohol stove during a blackout, have highlighted the impact of this crisis on the daily lives of citizens.
Meanwhile, the Cuban government has implemented insufficient measures, such as the distribution of firewood in some areas to alleviate the crisis. However, these actions have not succeeded in addressing the shortages affecting the majority of the population, particularly the most vulnerable groups, such as the sick, the elderly, and children.
Gómez Pérez's testimony is yet another example of the desperation experienced by many Cubans, who face not only serious illnesses but also extreme hardship in a country where scarcity and lack of access to basic needs continue to define daily reality.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy and Social Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba has worsened due to a deficit in electricity generation, leading to prolonged blackouts that have affected thousands of families. These power outages force the population to resort to rudimentary methods such as cooking with firewood or charcoal, exposing them to health risks and deteriorating their quality of life. The deficit in electricity generation has exceeded 1,500 MW, causing interruptions of up to 24 hours daily in several provinces.
How does the shortage of liquefied gas affect the Cuban population?
The lack of liquefied gas has forced numerous families to use firewood for cooking, a method that was thought to be outdated. This shortage is due to financial difficulties and distribution problems that have hindered the adequate supply of gas cylinders. The situation is particularly critical in provinces like Matanzas, where demand exceeds distribution capacity.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented some measures such as the distribution of firewood in certain areas to alleviate the lack of gas and electricity. However, these actions have been insufficient to resolve the shortages that affect the majority of the population. The proposed solutions have not managed to meet the demand or provide basic guarantees to the citizens.
How is the crisis affecting the most vulnerable people in Cuba?
The energy and supply crisis is severely impacting the most vulnerable sectors of the Cuban population, such as the sick, the elderly, and children. The lack of basic resources and exposure to toxic fumes when cooking with firewood exacerbate the health situation of individuals with pre-existing conditions. The shortage of essential resources is worsening the living conditions of those in greatest need.
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