A young Cuban woman reported on TikTok that she has gone more than two weeks without receiving water in her home, a situation that has forced her to buy the liquid at inflated prices to meet basic needs.
“I live in Cuba and I have been without water for two weeks. Yes, my love, you heard me right, two weeks without water. I don’t have water to drink, I don’t have water to wash the dishes, I don’t have water to clean my house, I don’t even have water to wash myself, and I apologize for using that word, but it’s the reality,” shared the user @soy_thalyholguin in a video that lasts over a minute.
In her testimony, the young woman explained that the lack of service affects all household routines: “I had to buy a bottle of water that they were selling on the street, which, by the way, is really expensive because they are taking advantage of the fact that we don’t have water to sell it at a markup, just so I can wash dishes and at least take a shower and cook basic things.”
She also showed that she barely had "that little bit" of water left in the refrigerator and confessed to feeling stressed: "I am a person who likes to keep my house very clean, I like to have my house organized, and my house is filthy because I can't clean. If I spend water cleaning, I can't do other basic things like cooking or washing my clothes. I haven't done my laundry in a long time; I don't know what else to do, I'm incredibly stressed."
The video has garnered dozens of comments, most expressing empathy and concern. “Two weeks, wow, that's a long time,” noted one user. Others compared the situation to shortages in countries like Mexico: “We have water every month, and we have to buy it in expensive truckloads,” said another internet user.
"That's really strong," wrote one follower, while another summarized, "What we lived through isn't easy."
A national problem
The testimony of @soy_thalyholguin adds to a chain of complaints reflecting the water crisis facing Cuba. In Sancti Spíritus, water arrives in homes “with larvae, worms, and even fish,” forcing residents to filter the liquid before using it.
In Santiago de Cuba, critical areas have gone over 60 days without service from the pipes, relying solely on water trucks amidst a historic drought and a collapsed system.
Other cases show how families have had to come up with extreme solutions, such as washing in rivers due to the lack of water and electricity, because of power outages and breakdowns in the hydraulic system.
The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) itself admitted in July that nearly one million Cubans experience daily disruptions in water supply due to a lack of resources, breakdowns, and the energy crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Water Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a water shortage in Cuba?
The water scarcity in Cuba is due to a lack of resources, breakdowns in the system, and an energy crisis. The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) has acknowledged that nearly one million Cubans experience daily disruptions in water supply. Additionally, droughts and the deterioration of infrastructure exacerbate the situation.
How does the lack of water affect daily life in Cuba?
The lack of water affects various areas of daily life, such as personal hygiene, home cleaning, and food preparation. Many people are forced to buy water at inflated prices or seek alternative sources like rivers or tank trucks, which increases the stress and economic difficulties faced by Cuban families.
What solutions have been implemented to address the water crisis in Cuba?
Although the Cuban government has announced investments to improve the water supply, the solutions have been insufficient so far. The population continues to report the severe living conditions caused by the lack of water, and the measures implemented have not managed to effectively resolve the issue.
What impact does the water crisis have on public health in Cuba?
The water crisis in Cuba has a significant impact on public health, as the lack of drinking water and poor hygiene conditions can facilitate the spread of diseases. In some areas, the water that arrives is contaminated, forcing residents to filter it before use.
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