In Cuba, waking up with electricity is no longer an everyday occurrence, but rather, in many instances, a 'privilege.' This was demonstrated in a video posted a few days ago on TikTok by user @brianna4258, a Cuban resident in Matanzas, who shared her joy at having slept through the night without blackouts. “I woke up feeling incredibly energized because I was able to sleep all night cool,” she says at the beginning of the video while showing an old fan that, in her words, is her “faithful friend through 100 battles.”
Electricity, that essential and routine resource in so many countries, marked a different day for her: she cooked “some little chickens to boil for a bit of yellow rice,” took the opportunity to wash all the accumulated laundry with a washing machine she thought was no longer working, and dedicated time to her baby, who was able to listen to children's songs thanks to the electricity still being on. The tone is warm and domestic, but the message is revealing. “I was feeding my baby while I could listen to his children's songs,” she recounts. And with a touch of hopeful resignation, she adds: “And as you all know I live in Cuba, 24 hours of electricity don’t exist.”
And indeed, it didn't last. By the end of the day, her video shows how everything returned to the usual darkness: "Look at how the day ended: eating lighted up with a rechargeable bulb. How little my happiness lasted!" The story went viral, not because it was extraordinary, but because it reflects the daily struggle of thousands of Cubans, for whom waking up with electricity has become something exceptional and worthy of celebration.
In light of this reality, the reactions to the video were not surprising: messages of solidarity, understanding, and sadness came from various countries. Many users, especially in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, shared similar experiences, although most were shocked by what is considered normal in Cuba. One user asked why the service is interrupted so often, and Brianna herself responded, "Because there is no fuel to supply the thermoelectric plants."
Brianna's post coincided with new critical days for the national electric system. Last Tuesday, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) reported a generation deficit of 1,320 MW, caused by a lack of fuel, breakdowns in several thermal units, and simultaneous maintenance. The disruptions extended throughout the country, including Havana, where rotational blackouts were imposed. The situation was so severe that even the planned entry of unit 6 from Nuevitas could not alleviate the circumstances.
Brianna's experience is not isolated. Just a few weeks ago, another Cuban mother documented on TikTok how she survived after 48 hours without electricity: cooking with charcoal, sleeping with a mosquito net, and relying on a neighbor with a generator to charge her mobile phone. The video captured attention for showcasing the level of forced adaptation to which many families are subjected.
In another testimony published a few days earlier, the same woman recounted a domestic accident involving her son, whom she took to the hospital only to find that there were no scissors or scalpels available. Washing clothes by hand due to the lack of electricity and making puree with what little she could buy at a market, she ended her day with a mix of exhaustion and hope. The lack of medical supplies and basic services marked every moment of her day.
The drama of life without electricity has also been addressed, even by the official press. The newspaper Girón published a photo report showing families cooking outdoors, using bonfires and improvised utensils. The attempt to romanticize the situation was harshly criticized on social media, where many Cubans viewed it as mocking in light of the real deterioration of their living conditions.
On national television, journalist Abdiel Bermúdez confirmed what many already knew from personal experience: that in the face of shortages of gas and coal, some resort to using doors, windows, and scraps of wood as firewood for cooking. The high price of coal and its limited availability have led to this desperate situation.
In this context of structural precariousness, Brianna's testimony becomes even more eloquent. Her morning happiness, expressed simply, highlights the extent of deterioration that the island is experiencing. What would be part of the routine in any country—sleeping with a fan, washing clothes, cooking, and listening to music—is in Cuba a source of gratitude, enthusiasm... and viral content.
Because in today's Cuba, essentials have become a luxury, and waking up with electricity is no longer the norm, but rather the exception.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electric Crisis in Cuba
Why are blackouts so frequent in Cuba?
The frequency of power outages in Cuba is primarily due to the lack of fuel for the thermoelectric plants, as well as breakdowns in several units and simultaneous maintenance. These causes have created a significant deficit in energy generation, affecting the entire country.
How does the lack of electricity affect the daily life of Cubans?
The lack of electricity severely affects the daily lives of Cubans, hindering basic activities such as cooking, preserving food, and performing household tasks. Families must resort to alternative methods such as cooking with charcoal or firewood, which further complicates their daily routines.
What solutions have been proposed to improve the energy crisis in Cuba?
Despite government promises to improve the electricity supply, effective long-term solutions have not been implemented. New units and maintenance have been planned, but the reality is that power outages remain constant and affect the entire population.
How are Cubans coping with these prolonged power outages?
Cuban people face power outages with a mix of resignation and creativity. They use candles, cook with charcoal, and rely on neighborly solidarity to charge devices and carry out basic tasks. This situation reflects the resilience and ingenuity of Cuban families in adverse circumstances.
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