Content creator Sheyla Reyes (@sheyreyes032) shared a video on TikTok showing how her family and neighbors dealt with a blackout lasting over 38 hours in Matanzas, Cuba, while a fire was occurring at the corner of the neighborhood.
"38 hours without power in Cuba (They set a corner on fire)," wrote the young woman in the video's description, which has amassed thousands of reactions on the social network.
In the audio, Sheyla explains: “38 hours without power in Cuba, and the neighbors went outside all because they set a corner on fire. But first, what we did was pour gasoline into the generator because it was already dry, and we add that little gasoline to strain it because the gasoline here in Cuba is of poor quality. And well, in the end, what they set on fire was the dumpster, and they called the firefighters and everything, and honestly, they came really quickly.”
According to the account, the entire neighborhood came out to watch as the firefighters extinguished the fire: “It was the first time I had seen something like that, and it really impressed me; everything happened quite quickly because it wasn't very large.”
The young woman also showed how, amidst the blackout, she tried to make the night feel normal: “I hadn’t eaten, so I started frying some plantains with white rice and a delicious pork that my mom made, it turned out amazing, with avocado, and that’s what I had for dinner. Of course, after eating, I enjoyed a nice little coffee, and that’s how we ended the night, my love. Let me know what you thought. Kisses!”
Hours later, the same creator shared another video in which she recounted how she faced 15 hours without electricity. “We had turned off the generator here for a while,” she explained, while describing how difficult it was to charge her phone and access cold water: “Being able to drink this little bit of cold water is a blessing.” The young woman briefly celebrated the return of service: “When I saw that air conditioner turn on, I felt like the heavens had opened,” she said, but the joy was short-lived as the blackout returned.
Energy crisis in Cuba: prolonged blackouts and generation deficit
The testimony takes place amid a national energy crisis that on Monday reached a deficit of over 1,700 megawatts during peak hours, according to the Electric Union. The country started the week with outages affecting 24 hours on Sunday and into Monday morning, while only reporting a availability of just 1,960 MW against a demand of 3,225 MW, which results in prolonged blackouts across the entire territory.
The situation worsened due to the outage of the combined cycle at Energás Varadero, which reduced the contribution to the electrical system by 30 MW. In addition, there is a lack of fuel in 90 distributed generation plants and limited thermal capacity (422 MW), factors that prevent meeting national demand, despite the incorporation of 23 solar photovoltaic parks.
Prolonged blackouts add to a skyrocketing inflation impacting Cuban families. Recently, Sheyla herself reported spending 18,000 pesos on basic necessities, where an avocado cost her 500 CUP and a liter of oil was 1,000 CUP. “Here, buying food is super complicated due to the outrageous prices,” she said in a previous video, highlighting the decline in purchasing power compared to prices that exceed several times the average salary in the country.
In June, the same young woman documented that she was without electricity for more than 30 hours in Matanzas, showing defrosted refrigerators and spoiled food. “All the frozen items defrosted, the food spoiled,” she lamented at that time.
The new video generated hundreds of comments, some supportive and others filled with indignation: “Cubans are too tolerant; that’s why this bad government does whatever it wants,” commented one user. Others expressed sadness and frustration: “My God, 38 hours without power, it’s really hard to live like this,” while some questioned the lack of protests and the prevailing conformism: “Everything is normal in Cuba, the conformism.” There were also those who reacted with irony: “I thought they lit up the corner protesting the blackouts.”
While the government insists on promoting energy saving, the population continues to cope with blackouts that can last over 30 hours, amidst the summer heat, food shortages, and a daily atmosphere of uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts and the Crisis in Cuba
How long can blackouts last in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba can last more than 30 hours, as documented in Matanzas, one of the most affected provinces. The energy crisis on the island has intensified, with significant deficits in electricity generation, leading to prolonged interruptions in the power supply.
How do power outages affect the daily life of Cubans?
Long outages in Cuba seriously impact the daily lives of citizens. Families face difficulties in preserving food, cooking, and carrying out everyday tasks. The lack of electricity also disrupts the water supply and affects other essential services, exacerbating living conditions on the island.
What measures do Cubans take to cope with power outages?
To cope with power outages, Cubans resort to electric generators when possible, and use coal for cooking due to the lack of gas. Additionally, they try to store water and complete all household tasks during the few hours when electricity is available. The community also organizes itself to share resources and support one another.
What is the current economic situation in Cuba concerning power outages?
The economic situation in Cuba is critical, with runaway inflation affecting the prices of food and other basic goods. Prolonged blackouts contribute to the loss of food and perishable products, representing an additional economic blow for families that are already facing high prices and insufficient wages.
Filed under:
