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The energy crisis in Cuba has raised growing concerns over the increase in the disappearance of women amid the prolonged nationwide blackouts.
The lack of electricity, which affects communication and limits search resources, has also hindered the rapid response to these cases.
Various organizations and projects have documented disappearances that occurred around the last national blackout, recorded between March 15 and 17, 2025.
Among the cases reported by the feminist platform Alas Tensas is, for example, that of Doraiky Águila Vázquez, who has been missing since March 15 in Lawton, Havana.
Additionally, the Cuban Julia Salvadora Segura Guerra, who went missing on March 15, was found dead at her home in the town of Primero de Enero, in Ciego de Ávila.
The platform states that prolonged power outages not only affect public safety but also the response capacity of authorities and families.
The lack of access to the Internet and mobile phone services during outages hinders the timely dissemination of missing person alerts, which exacerbates the situation.
In light of this situation, activists and citizens are calling for the implementation of an official alert protocol for disappearances in Cuba, which would enable the mobilization of state and community resources during blackouts.
There has also been a call for law enforcement agencies and the media to establish effective mechanisms for the early dissemination of alerts.
This Thursday, the case of the teenager William Omar Prieto Bermúdez, a resident of the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa, who has been missing since last Saturday, came to light.
According to his family members who wrote to CiberCuba, William left his home that day and has not returned.
Cuban provinces have been experiencing daily blackouts lasting over 20 hours for several weeks, following a worsening of the energy crisis caused by the shutdown of several thermoelectric plants in the National Electric System.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackouts and Disappearances in Cuba
Why have disappearances increased during blackouts in Cuba?
Disappearances have increased during blackouts in Cuba due to a lack of communication and the difficulty in mobilizing resources for searches. Prolonged blackouts affect public safety and limit the response capacity of authorities and families. Furthermore, restricted access to the Internet and mobile phone services during these outages hinders the timely dissemination of missing person alerts, which exacerbates the situation.
How do blackouts affect security in Cuba?
Blackouts severely affect security in Cuba by leaving communities without communication or basic security resources. The lack of electricity not only increases vulnerability to crime but also hampers search and rescue efforts in cases of disappearances. Furthermore, the absence of light heightens the risk of accidents and complicates daily life, creating an environment of widespread insecurity.
What measures are being requested to improve the response to disappearances in Cuba?
Activists and citizens in Cuba are calling for the implementation of an official alert protocol for disappearances. This protocol would allow for the efficient mobilization of state and community resources, especially during blackouts. There are also requests for police entities and media outlets to establish effective mechanisms for the early dissemination of missing person alerts.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Blackouts have a devastating impact on the daily lives of Cubans, affecting everything from food refrigeration to access to basic services like drinking water. The lack of electricity also interferes with remote work, education, and health, creating an atmosphere of despair and anxiety among the population. Furthermore, the uncertainty regarding the duration of blackouts and the absence of a reliable schedule exacerbate daily stress.
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