With temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, high humidity levels, and a growing proliferation of disease-carrying mosquitoes such as those that transmit dengue, the long and persistent blackouts experienced by the Cuban population have ceased to be merely an electrical issue and have evolved into a serious public health threat.
For months, millions of Cubans have been suffering daily power outages that in many provinces can extend for over 24 consecutive hours. This situation not only affects the quality of life but also rapidly deteriorates the physical and mental health of the citizens.
The extreme heat and the impossibility of sleeping
Nights without electricity also mean nights without fans or air conditioning. In a tropical country, sleeping in sweltering heat becomes nearly impossible. The lack of accumulated rest can lead to chronic exhaustion, hormonal imbalance, irritability, sleep disorders, and a weakened immune system.
"We have been weeks without sleeping well. My son cries all night because of the heat and the mosquitoes, and the next day he goes to school exhausted," says Laura, a mother living in Bayamo.
More mosquitoes, more diseases
Frequent blackouts also worsen the proliferation of mosquitoes in urban and rural areas. The lack of ventilation and the forced use of containers with water due to the intermittent supply increase the risk of transmission of diseases such as dengue and Oropouche, both confirmed to be present in the country.
Without electricity to power repellents or to properly store food and water, sanitary conditions deteriorate quickly, creating an environment conducive to epidemic outbreaks.
Impact on mental health: anxiety, depression, and hopelessness
Additionally to the physical discomfort, prolonged blackouts have devastating consequences on mental health. The daily uncertainty, the inability to plan life, and the feeling of abandonment by the State fuel feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, and hopelessness.
"There are days when I feel like I'm going to explode. Not being able to refrigerate food, not being able to sleep, not having light to cook… it makes you feel like you're worth nothing," recounts Yoel, a resident of Ciego de Ávila.
Children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses: the most vulnerable
The most vulnerable sectors are the most affected. Young children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses (heart patients, diabetics, hypertensive individuals) face a higher risk due to the lack of refrigeration for medications, extreme heat conditions, and the absence of basic medical equipment that relies on electricity.
A prolonged crisis without a structural response
Power outages are not new in Cuba, but their frequency, duration, and impact in 2024 and 2025 have reached alarming levels. While the government justifies the failures with a shortage of fuel and breakdowns in the national electrical system, citizens demand real solutions and emergency measures that prioritize public health over tourism or propaganda.
In a context where poverty, food insecurity, and the lack of medications have become part of daily life, prolonged blackouts worsen all health indicators and once again reflect the fragility of the Cuban system in the face of structural crises.
Conclusion
Beyond the power outages, what dims in Cuba is the health, emotional stability, and dignity of millions of people living in darkness, both literally and figuratively. In response to this, the institutional reaction becomes yet another form of violence.
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