A young Cuban shared on TikTok the outrage he felt upon discovering that a whole package of sausages had spoiled due to the prolonged power outages affecting the country.
"These are the things that hurt me about Cuba, no one cares about the sacrifice, what you do to put a plate of food on the table, family is tough," he said, visibly upset in the video. He then added, "And then here I am, super annoyed, obviously annoyed, look at all the pack of sausages that went bad because of the electricity issue in Cuba, it's hard, at least my dog will eat," he said.
The sad scene, posted on his TikTok account @alexdaniel3371, has sparked dozens of reactions from users who lamented the situation and criticized the lack of solutions. “What a pity, it is so difficult to have something and the leaders don’t look out for the people,” commented one internet user, while another wrote: “That's right, no leader cares about the problems of the people.”
This new testimony reflects a reality that repeats across the island. The electrical crisis has caused many families to lose the few food items they manage to obtain in a context of exorbitant prices and scarcity. On social media, other Cubans have shown similar situations: mothers who cannot keep their children's puree or who have to cook with charcoal due to the lack of gas and electricity.
Just a few weeks ago, a mother in Matanzas recounted how she experienced “a whole day without electricity”, unable to power her generator due to a lack of time to charge it and watching her refrigerator completely defrost. In another case, a young woman reported that her child's puree spoiled after several hours of blackout, a situation that, as she explained, forced her to cook again under precarious conditions.
To this chain of difficulties is added the scarcity of fuel, which has led many to improvise dangerous methods to light fires. Alex Daniel himself had previously shown how to light charcoal with plastic when he had no other resources, describing his routine as an "act of survival."
Stories like these, increasingly common on TikTok and other platforms, reveal the human impact of the energy crisis in Cuba, which goes beyond just the lack of electricity: it means hunger, loss, and the ongoing sacrifice to put food on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the impact of blackouts on the daily lives of Cubans?
Prolonged blackouts in Cuba are severely affecting people's daily lives. The lack of electricity causes food to spoil, as it cannot be properly stored in refrigerators. Additionally, families must resort to alternative methods such as cooking with charcoal, which represents an additional challenge in a context of resource scarcity.
How are power outages affecting the food supply for Cuban families?
Power outages are severely affecting the food supply for Cuban families. Many foods are spoiling due to a lack of refrigeration, which represents a significant economic loss given the scarcity and high prices of products. Families are forced to quickly consume what they can or face food waste.
What measures are Cuban families taking in response to the lack of electricity?
In the absence of electricity, Cuban families are resorting to makeshift methods for cooking, such as using charcoal stoves. Additionally, they try to preserve food by using coolers or making ice in plastic bottles. However, these measures are not enough to fully mitigate the impact of prolonged outages.
What is the Cuban government's response to the current energy crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the severity of the energy crisis, but the solutions offered have been insufficient. Promises of future investments in energy infrastructure, such as photovoltaic parks, have not alleviated the current situation, and the population continues to face constant and prolonged blackouts.
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