A young Cuban mother shared on social media the harsh reality she faces due to the prolonged power outages affecting the island. In a video posted on TikTok, the user @anita.cubanita64 recounted how her day went after more than 48 hours without electricity, amidst the heat, mosquitoes, and the lack of conditions to cook and store food.
"This is like a day living in Cuba, my love," she begins recounting in the recording. She explains that, like many Cubans, she went to bed without electricity and woke up in the same conditions, which forced her to prepare breakfast with the few resources available. “I woke up with my little coffee, you know, mosquito net on, because I went to bed without power and woke up without power,” she shares.
During the day, she cooked using a charcoal stove and relied on a neighbor with a generator to charge her phone and make coffee. "Nothing, my love, I was preparing this for lunch, everything was cooked on charcoal, it all went super fast,” she details. The situation not only affects the food but also rest: "The truth is that people had a bad night because of the mosquitoes; it was extremely hot,” she laments.
The testimony of this mother adds to other videos she has shared in recent months, where she has shown the difficulties of cooking and caring for her child in a context of constant blackouts, food scarcity, and high prices in the markets. In a previous post, the young woman lamented how the previous day's puree for her baby spoiled due to the lack of refrigeration, forcing her to remake it by hand without a blender. “I had to remake the puree and mash it because there was no power,” she explained on another occasion.
Last Friday, a massive blackout left a large part of the country without electricity due to a failure at the Diezmero substation. This caused the disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN). Although this Sunday the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant managed to synchronize again with the SEN, the recovery of service remains partial and many areas continue to experience interruptions.
In a recent update, the Cuban regime reported that the national electrical system is connected from Pinar del Río to Guantánamo, but that Artemisa and Pinar del Río continue to be the most affected provinces. Additionally, they announced the startup process for new units in Mariel and Santa Cruz del Norte, which would add 400 megawatts to the system. It is expected that by early Monday, the load will stabilize and service will be restored across the island.
Beyond the blackouts, the young mother has also faced criticism from some users questioning why she hasn't emigrated. In response, she explained in a previous video that leaving Cuba is not simply a matter of “lifting a finger and leaving”, and that her priority is to fight every day to give her child the best. “If I were to wait for Cuba to improve before having a baby, I would never have my family”, she stated. In the meantime, her content continues to go viral, highlighting the harsh reality many families face in Cuba and the constant struggle for survival amid the crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Power Outage Crisis in Cuba
How do prolonged blackouts affect the daily lives of Cubans?
Prolonged blackouts severely affect the daily life of Cubans by interrupting basic services such as electricity, which prevents cooking, refrigerating food, and performing essential household tasks. The lack of electricity also disrupts rest due to heat and mosquitoes, and creates difficulties in caring for children.
What improvised solutions do Cuban families use for cooking during power outages?
During blackouts, Cuban families turn to traditional methods such as cooking with charcoal or wood stoves to prepare their meals. Some rely on neighbors with generators to charge devices or make coffee.
What is the Cuban government's response to the power outage crisis?
The Cuban government has reported on efforts to improve the electricity supply, including the launch of new generating units. However, the recovery of the service has been partial and the promises of improvements have not been fully met, which has caused discontent among the population.
Why have the videos of @anita.cubanita64 gone viral on social media?
The videos from @anita.cubanita64 have gone viral because they authentically and personally showcase the daily challenges faced by Cuban families due to power outages and resource shortages. Her testimony resonates with many who share or empathize with her situation.
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