The young Cuban mother @briana_matancera posted a video on TikTok that has gone viral, in which she candidly and intimately shows what a day with electricity looks like in her home, amidst the ongoing blackouts affecting the island.
“A day with electricity in Cuba is complicated because there are so many things to do that you don’t know where to start”, he says at the beginning of his video, which acts as a short vlog narrated in the first person.
In her account, Briana shares every step of her day: “Of course, when the power comes back, the water arrives at the same time, and the first thing I did was wash dishes to feel accomplished.” She then continues: “I took my time to groom myself, and then my child woke up… I had to finish getting ready with him, making my signature bun that you all like.”
The day continues with household chores hurried by the uncertainty of how long the electricity will last: “I gave him his breakfast, that little yogurt, and I also had my breakfast here on the balcony because he wanted to be in on the gossip, at the bars.”
"We continued to take advantage of this moment, my dear, and I started to prepare his little purée, and I also took the opportunity to wash up," she recounts. "When the food was soft enough, I blended it."
The pressure to make the most of every minute with electricity is reflected in phrases like: “Because here you don’t stop; when the power is on, you have to do everything at once.” In one day, Briana cooked rice and beans, did laundry, prepared food for her son, and managed to sit on the balcony for a while waiting for the child's father to arrive.
This is what the days in Cuba are like when we have electricity, tell me what you think, he concludes, addressing his followers with the affectionate tone that characterizes his posts.
The video has generated hundreds of comments, many of them expressing support and solidarity. "Holy God, in the DR we lose power for two hours and we're crying," wrote a user from the Dominican Republic. Another person commented, "One day they will be free."
In response to questions like "How long have you been without electricity?", Briana answered: "We've gone up to three days without power." She also addressed inquiries about their food: "What is guawí?" they asked. "A root vegetable," she replied. And regarding water, she commented: "We store water, but it runs out after so many hours."
Comments like “A good attitude in the face of sadness, that helps you move forward” or “It’s not easy, but you are a warrior” reflect the empathy that her story has inspired.
This is not the only viral testimony about the energy crisis on the island. In March, another post by Briana celebrated being able to sleep through the night with a fan: “I woke up full of energy because I was able to sleep comfortably.”
A few days ago, another young mother identified as @anita.cubanita64 reported on what a day without electricity is like in Matanzas: “I have a generator, but with the situation regarding the power, I don't even have time to charge it.”
Also, Sheyla, another young Cuban, documented 30 hours without electricity: “Look at how the children drink water... in this heat, this is truly unbearable.”
This Sunday, the Electric Union reported a deficit of over 1,500 MW nationwide, resulting in power outages throughout the day. In Matanzas, even the radio and television signal has been affected due to the lack of power in the transmitters.
In that context, Briana's phrase —“When there is power, you have to do everything”— shifts from being a simple domestic remark to a statement of resilience in an increasingly dark Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Energy Crisis and Daily Life in Cuba
How does the energy crisis affect daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis severely impacts daily life in Cuba, forcing citizens to perform basic tasks such as cooking, washing clothes, and maintaining hygiene under extreme conditions of prolonged blackouts and resource scarcity. Mothers, in particular, document these challenges through social media, showcasing how they must improvise to meet their families' basic needs.
How do Cuban mothers manage to cook during power outages?
During power outages, many Cuban mothers turn to traditional methods for cooking, such as using charcoal or wood stoves. In the absence of electricity, they have developed various strategies to prepare food, from grinding ingredients by hand to cooking outdoors, reflecting their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
What solutions have Cuban families found for washing clothes without electricity?
Cuban families have found various ways to wash clothes without electricity, such as using old Soviet washing machines, washing manually in rivers, or connecting washing machines to makeshift power plants. These methods demonstrate creativity and the need for adaptation in the face of basic service shortages.
How is the international community responding to the situation in Cuba?
The international community has shown solidarity with the Cuban people through empathetic comments and support on social media. Many users offer advice and practical solutions, while others suggest financial assistance to alleviate the precarious conditions. However, the official response and the improvements promised by the Cuban government have yet to be effectively realized.
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