The everyday precariousness in Cuba was once again highlighted in a video shared by priest Leandro NaunHung, who showed how some people in a rural area of Santiago de Cuba prepare and use a "nonó" stove for cooking.
“Every day in Cuba feels like a test of endurance. Just one more,” wrote the priest on his social media while sharing the video.
"The daily life of a Cuban has become a marathon with no finish line. It is not an exaggeration to say that the simplest things—what is basic, what is minimal—have already turned into an uphill struggle," he reflected.
The video shows an elderly man compressing sawdust inside a wide metal tube, with a side opening at the base.
The technique involves leaving a central hole—using a thinner tube that is later removed—that allows for the entry of oxygen.
The process includes covering the top with wet ashes, "so that it lasts longer and stays even, preventing it from burning on top," explained the priest, relaying the farmer's instructions.
"There's Gloria with her 'nonó', she's going to brew coffee," comments the priest in the video as he shows a woman preparing to make coffee.
She herself admits that she prefers that method over lighting a wood fire: “The other day I wanted to light the wood fire and it was a hassle,” she said, adding, “I put it together myself.”
The "nonó" is a type of rudimentary stove made from compacted sawdust, historically used in rural areas for its efficiency and because it can stay lit for hours with minimal fuel.
But its massive use in the 21st century, more than a cultural habit, is a reflection of the forced regression that thousands of Cubans have been pushed into due to the lack of gas, electricity, and basic conditions for cooking.
The scene, far from being anecdotal, is a portrait of the progressive impoverishment that the island is experiencing. And as the priest himself concludes, it is further evidence that the dictatorship has condemned the people.
It's not the first time that this kind of scene has circulated on social media. Last February, the profile La Tijera shared an image of the "nonó" accompanied by a direct criticism: “The dictatorship has condemned the Cuban people to live in the medieval times. Without electricity, without drinking water, without the necessary resources to meet their basic needs, they have now had to resort to primitive and rudimentary methods to cook.”
The message concluded with irony: "And still on the state television, they talk about patriotism, resistance, and loyalty to the Robo-illusion."
In the midst of one of the worst phases of the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing, more than 9 million people are cooking today under precarious, unsanitary, and dangerous conditions, as warned by the Food Monitor Program (FMP), an independent organization that has been monitoring access to basic services on the island for three years.
The figure comes from the analysis of the latest Population and Housing Census of Cuba and from proprietary studies by FMP, which estimate that around 1.7 million households use liquefied gas (LPG), another 2 million rely exclusively on electricity, and about 220,000 cook with manufactured gas.
The rest of the population is left completely exposed to power outages, disruptions in gas supply, or rudimentary means.
Considering an average of 3 to 4 people per household, over 9 million Cubans face serious difficulties or total inability to cook in their homes, the organization emphasized.
The report indicates that, with power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, families cook whenever there is electricity, regardless of the time.
Food is prepared in the early hours of the morning, meals are eaten cold or immediately, and many people have reduced the number of daily meals.
Before the most recent collapse, 33% of households had already begun skipping meals as a survival measure, while a 25% admitted to going to bed hungry.
The most dramatic scenario is the increase in cooking with firewood and charcoal. Thousands of families, unable to use electricity or gas, are building makeshift stoves with recycled materials.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Precarity in Cuba
What is a "nonó" stove and why is it being used in Cuba?
A "nonó" stove is a type of rudimentary stove made from compacted sawdust. It has historically been used in rural areas of Cuba for its efficiency and because it can be kept burning for hours with minimal fuel. However, its widespread use in the 21st century reflects the forced regression that thousands of Cubans have been pushed into due to the lack of gas, electricity, and basic cooking conditions.
What is the current situation of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is severe, with blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day. The lack of electricity and liquefied gas has pushed the population to rely on outdated and unhealthy cooking methods, such as using firewood and charcoal, which increases the precariousness of daily life for Cubans and poses a risk to health and the environment.
How does the lack of fuel affect daily life in Cuba?
The lack of fuel in Cuba severely impacts daily life, forcing families to resort to traditional and dangerous methods for cooking. The scarcity of liquefied gas and electricity has led many people to cook with firewood or charcoal, posing health and safety risks, as well as causing significant environmental impact due to deforestation.
What solutions has the Cuban government proposed in response to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promoted the use of charcoal briquettes as an emerging solution for cooking. These briquettes are considered an "eco-friendly and renewable" alternative, made from charcoal waste, water, and cassava starch. However, this measure is viewed as a temporary fix that does not address the energy crisis and reflects the forced adaptation of the population.
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