A Cuban mother has once again highlighted the harsh reality faced by the population on the island due to the energy crisis. In a video shared on TikTok, the young woman @anita.cubanita64 recounted her experience after having gone more than 24 hours without electricity, showcasing the challenges this presents for feeding her son and carrying out her daily activities.
In the video, the young mother explains how she had to cook with the little gas she has left, as the lack of electricity prevented her from using any other means. She was also forced to buy bread from a street vendor because, as she mentions, "they are not making bread for the population." To feed her child, she had to mash his puree because she didn’t have a blender, a recurring issue she has already reported on her social media.
One of the most striking moments of the video is when the mother shows a jar of medication she bought for 1,800 Cuban pesos, also reflecting the economic crisis and the high cost of essential products on the island. Unable to carry out her normal activities at home, she ended up going to a friend's house in a "prioritized circuit", where there was electricity, to take a breather and do her nails.
The testimony of @anita.cubanita64 has generated a wave of reactions on TikTok, where many users have expressed their solidarity and others have questioned the situation in Cuba. "I've been without light for two hours and I can't take it anymore, and that's with data on my phone," commented one person, contrasting their reality with that of the Cuban mother. "My God, if one suffers with just a little time without electricity, imagine hours like that and without water, it's another pain. God have mercy on that country and its people. Greetings from Venezuela," a follower expressed.
Other comments expressed indignation over the crisis on the island. "You really go through a lot of bad things, it's not fair. The limitations on being well should not be justified by the idealisms of a few," wrote one user. "Poor Cubans, that's not a life and nobody is doing anything to help them," added another. There were also questions about the power outage system on the island: "What does prioritized circuit mean?" asked one user.
This is not the first time that @anita.cubanita64 has reported on the conditions in which she lives. On another occasion, she showed how her son's food spoiled due to the lack of refrigeration. She has also documented the difficulties of cooking amid blackouts. In another video, she responded to criticism about why she doesn’t emigrate, explaining that leaving Cuba is not so easy and that she could not wait for improvement to start her family. "If I was going to wait for Cuba to improve to have a baby, I would never have a family," she said at that time.
Blackouts in Cuba have become a chronic situation. According to the Cuban Electric Union (UNE), the crisis is due to breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and fuel shortages, which have resulted in entire days without electricity in various provinces of the country.
Recently, a Cuban in Spain, identified as @lapelua68, erupted on social media after learning that her family in Pinar del Río had been 22 hours without electricity, denouncing the government's lack of solutions. "My mother, my family, cannot eat, cannot wash, cannot do anything because of the damn government that has the damn island of Cuba," she expressed with frustration.
Despite the fact that the UNE assured that the situation could improve slightly this Thursday, the reality is that the Cuban electrical system remains in crisis. Several thermoelectric plants are still out of service and some provinces have reported power outages of up to 40 hours. The UNE has implemented scheduled blackouts in Havana, but the population continues to face uncertainty.
While the Cuban government continues to provide no concrete answers to the electricity crisis, citizens must find ways to cope with power outages and the lack of resources. Testimonies like that of @anita.cubanita64 have become a window into the harsh reality faced by many Cuban families, who, despite the adversities, continue to fight for survival.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why are there prolonged blackouts in Cuba?
Extended blackouts in Cuba are due to breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and a lack of fuel. The energy crisis has caused thousands of families to face power outages that can last for days, impacting their daily lives and access to basic services.
How does the energy crisis affect Cuban families?
The energy crisis in Cuba severely impacts the lives of families, forcing them to seek alternative methods for cooking and preserving food. The lack of electricity prevents the use of appliances, complicating daily tasks such as cooking and refrigerating food, and it also affects communication and the education of children.
What is a "prioritized circuit" in Cuba?
A "prioritized circuit" in Cuba refers to the areas where electricity supply is restored more quickly due to their strategic or social importance. In these circuits, power outages are less frequent or of shorter duration compared to other affected areas.
What alternatives do Cuban families have for cooking during power outages?
During power outages, many Cuban families resort to traditional methods such as using charcoal or wood stoves for cooking. These methods are necessary due to the lack of electricity and gas, but they are more complicated and slower, which increases the daily challenges faced by families.
How is the Cuban government responding to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promised improvements in the electrical system and has implemented scheduled blackouts in some areas. However, the population continues to face uncertainty and shortages, as long-term solutions seem distant and no concrete answers have been provided to effectively resolve the crisis.
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