A young Cuban mother, identified as @anita.cubanita64 on TikTok, has sparked attention on social media again by sharing a new testimony about what a full day without electricity is like in her home in Matanzas, amidst the severe energy crisis the country is facing.
“A whole day without electricity in Cuba. What can I say?” he begins in the video, where he describes the difficulties of getting through the day: the fatigue upon waking, the inability to charge the generator, food spoiling due to lack of refrigeration, and the chaos in his kitchen. “I know you’re going to tell me that I have a generator, yes I have a generator, but right now with this power situation I don’t even have time to charge it,” he explains.
During the day, he mentions that he had to go to a neighbor's house to be able to eat and that, thanks to a bit of gasoline, he managed to run the electric generator for a while. "At least to bathe the child and do all those little things," he specifies. Later, he shows how the refrigerator completely defrosted and the kitchen was a mess: "Everything was spilled and all melted, no power all day."
The video, which has garnered thousands of interactions on TikTok, sparked a flood of comments from various countries, many offering advice on how to cope with the situation. “If you lose power for a day, how do you keep the food in the refrigerator from spoiling?” one user asked, while another suggested, “Why not grab chargers and things that can be powered by solar energy?” A message from Venezuela lamented, “Here in Venezuela, where I live, we've been without electricity since 3 a.m... it's been 12 hours without power.”
Others expressed admiration and support: "I’ll be the only one who, when I'm feeling down, cheers up when I watch her videos... she's the only woman I follow from Cuba," wrote a follower. "I would like to form a group from Mexico to contribute a little something to our Cubans," suggested another. And yet another commented, "With food prices being extremely high, these blackouts make it go to waste. This is truly unbearable."
Another testimony in a long chain of complaints
It is not the first time that Anita has candidly documented the effects of power outages on her daily life. At the beginning of June, she lamented that her son Alan's homemade puree spoiled after a whole night without electricity. She also showed how she improvised recipes with charcoal, boiled root vegetables outdoors, and bathed with a sponge while laughing to avoid crying.
On another occasion, she celebrated the purchase of her own house in Matanzas, thanking her followers for the support received: “A dream that for a long time I thought was impossible, but nothing is impossible in this life,” she said. In parallel, she is developing the solidarity project Haciendo Sueños, from which she has delivered refrigerators to vulnerable elderly women and food to homeless people.
A country on the brink of electrical collapse
Anita's story unfolds amid growing outrage across the country over power outages that now exceed 24, 30, and even 40 hours in some areas. According to official reports, the deficit of the National Electric System has reached critical levels, with disruptions lasting throughout the entire day. The Electric Union (UNE) has confirmed that the outages are due to a lack of fuel, thermal power plants being out of service, and the overall deterioration of the energy infrastructure.
In Havana, power outages have become unpredictable, with neighborhoods affected up to three times a day without warning. In Matanzas, residents like the young Sheyla have reported refrigerators full of spoiled food, children drinking hot water, and entire nights without sleep. “This is truly unbearable,” she lamented. Social media is filled with phrases like “we're going to melt down,” “this can’t go on any longer,” and “there's no hope.”
Meanwhile, the government continues to announce "urgent" maintenance and promises of improvements that never materialize. The population, however, has lost trust in official reports and has begun to express its frustration on social media.
A cry that doesn't fade
Anita's case is one among thousands, but the way she tells her story—without victimhood, with dignity, and a touch of humor—has resonated deeply with those who follow her. Each of her videos serves as a mirror reflecting not only the precariousness but also the resilience and humanity of countless Cuban mothers who strive, day by day, to ensure their children grow up with a minimum of well-being.
"This is a life without filters," Anita sums up. And indeed, her words describe not just her home, but an entire Cuba in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
How does the energy crisis affect daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba severely affects the daily lives of citizens. Constant interruptions in the electricity supply complicate basic tasks such as food preservation, meal preparation, and rest, especially in homes with children. Many families have to rely on makeshift solutions like using charcoal for cooking or electric generators, when they can access them.
What are the causes of power outages in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are caused by a lack of fuel, breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, and the deterioration of energy infrastructure. The Electric Union has reported a critical deficit in energy generation, leading to cuts that can last over 24 hours in some areas. Additionally, the inadequacy of solar energy to meet nighttime demand exacerbates the situation.
What strategies do Cuban families use to cope with power outages?
To cope with power outages, Cuban families use rechargeable devices, cook with charcoal, and share the use of electric generators when possible. In addition, they organize to support each other and exchange survival tips on social media. In some cases, they turn to neighbors who have access to resources such as electric generators.
What impact does the electrical crisis have on the food supply for Cubans?
The electrical crisis directly impacts the food supply for Cubans, as the lack of refrigeration causes food to spoil. This is particularly serious given that food in Cuba is expensive and hard to obtain. Families have to resort to traditional cooking methods, such as charcoal, to prepare daily meals.
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