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Despair is taking hold of the residents of Brisas del Mar alley in Cárdenas, Matanzas, who have now been without electricity, drinking water, or food in a condition fit for preservation for over eight days.
The complaint was made public by activist Lara Crofs, after receiving testimonies from neighbors who, in tears, pleaded with her for help to highlight the tragedy they are experiencing.
According to Crofs' explanation on Facebook, the cause of the prolonged blackout is the breakdown of a transformer that the Electric Union (UNE) claims it cannot replace.
"However, the residents of the neighborhood are being asked to 'contribute' $2,000 for a transformer and up to 15,000 CUP per household, which they are trying to collect. This constitutes an abusive and unacceptable practice," he emphasized.
The neighborhood, located next to the Julio Miguel Aristegui Villamil hospital, typically did not experience prolonged outages, as its proximity to the medical center ensured priority in service.
Today, families are facing an extreme crisis of vulnerability: children, the elderly, and the sick are surviving without the ability to cook, wash, preserve food, or maintain minimal hygiene conditions.
"It was very difficult to talk to some of them, as they cried and felt desperate," Crofs recounted.
The activist also denounced the mockery of the "palliative measures": municipal government officials offered packages of cookies at 50 pesos each, as if that could make the situation any less painful.
"In fact, the neighbors are demanding an immediate and transparent solution for the restoration of electricity," he emphasized.
Matanzas, a symbol of energy inequality
The case of Brisas del Mar adds to the growing complaints in Matanzas regarding the widespread energy crisis.
Recently, photographer Belice Blanco Garcés described the anguish of her community, subjected to power outages of up to 30 consecutive hours, with only one or two hours of light per day.
In a heartbreaking testimony, Blanco Garcés described the situation as "genocide," questioning how it is possible that in the province where the largest thermoelectric power plant in the country is located, the population suffers from excessive blackouts while Havana and Varadero receive a more stable supply.
"How can I care for my sick elderly mother in the midst of so much darkness? How can I feed the children and the elderly if the little that is bought goes bad? Why did my son have to emigrate with tears in his eyes to help us survive this hell?" she wrote.
A village abandoned to its fate
The situation in Cárdenas and Matanzas illustrates what is happening across the entire island: the population is at the mercy of institutional negligence and corruption, forced to pay impossible amounts for basic services such as electricity and water.
Meanwhile, the regime prioritizes stability in the capital and tourist areas, condemning the rest of the country to a collective punishment of endless blackouts.
The official silence contrasts with the rising cry of the citizens.
As Lara pointed out, what the residents of Brisas del Mar are experiencing today "is a clear example of how the Cuban population is left vulnerable, exposed to abuses and without basic guarantees of rights."
Indignation is growing, reports are multiplying on social media, and citizen pressure is slowly breaking down the wall of censorship.
But as long as there is no urgent and responsible response from the authorities, thousands of Cubans will continue to survive in darkness, amid heat, hunger, and despair.
Frequently asked questions about the energy crisis in Cárdenas and Matanzas
Why have the residents of Cárdenas been without electricity for eight days?
The power outage is due to the breakdown of a transformer that the Electric Union (UNE) cannot replace. Additionally, residents have been asked to contribute large sums of money to resolve the issue, which has been deemed an abusive practice.
How does the energy crisis affect families in Matanzas?
The energy crisis has plunged families into a state of extreme vulnerability. The lack of electricity prevents cooking, preserving food, and maintaining minimal hygiene conditions, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and sick individuals. Furthermore, the scarcity of drinking water and the lack of mobile coverage exacerbate the situation.
What responses has the government provided to this energy crisis?
The government has offered few effective solutions to the energy crisis. The relief measures, such as the offering of cookie packages, have been widely criticized for their inadequacy. The population demands an immediate and transparent solution, but the official response remains limited and full of unfulfilled promises.
Why is there inequality in electricity supply in Cuba?
There is a perception of inequality in the electricity supply because energy stability is prioritized in Havana and tourist hotspots like Varadero, while other provinces, such as Matanzas, suffer from prolonged blackouts. This situation has generated tensions and criticism towards the regime for its preferential treatment of certain areas.
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