The energy crisis in Cuba hits hard at the family table, leaving households with no options to preserve their food.
The Cuban Sheyla Reyes, identified on TikTok as @sheyreyes03, posted a video that has gone viral, in which she shows how her family had to consume in a single day the food supplies intended for an entire week, due to a blackout lasting more than 50 hours.
The general blackout, which occurred on Friday, March 14, affected several provinces of the country and left thousands of families facing uncertainty and the deterioration of their food supplies. "Everything we had was going to spoil. We can't afford to waste food," Sheyla explains in her video.
The situation becomes even more dramatic when comparing the price of food with average income. A pack of chicken, which costs over 3,300 Cuban pesos, represents nearly the monthly salary of a professional. Losing access to these products is an economic blow that many families cannot bear.
Electric outages not only impact food preservation. The ongoing blackouts, which in some provinces can last up to 20 hours a day, disrupt other basic services. The supply of drinking water is interrupted and industrial food production, such as bread, comes to a halt, further worsening the situation.
The inflation, the rising poverty, and the shortage of cooking fuels are part of the daily life of Cubans.
While Cuban families try to survive, hopelessness is reflected on social media, where videos like Sheyla's become a testimony to the daily anguish experienced on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
How long do power outages last in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba can last from several hours to over 50 consecutive hours, as has been reported in various provinces. This situation severely impacts daily life, including food preservation and access to basic services.
How do power outages affect food supply in Cuba?
Prolonged blackouts hinder the proper refrigeration of food, leading many families to lose their supplies. Given the high cost of basic goods, losing food is a significant economic blow for Cuban households.
What resources do Cuban families use in the absence of electricity?
In the absence of electricity, Cuban families turn to traditional methods such as cooking with firewood or charcoal. They also rely on the solidarity of neighbors who have generators to charge basic devices.
What solutions has the Cuban government offered for power outages?
The Cuban government has promised to stabilize the electricity supply, but the concrete solutions have not been effective. The lack of maintenance and fuel, along with the breakdown of thermoelectric plants, exacerbates the situation with no visible improvement in the short term.
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