The water supply crisis has brought Cuban surrealism to a new chapter, as in recent days, precarious “inventions” for collecting water have come to light.
“Mira NASA.. Creative resistance and hydraulic engineering in revolution,” wrote on Facebook the critical content creator of the regime Edmundo Dantés Junior.
The activist shared a video showing a man from the window of a building collecting water that flows from the pipe relieving the rooftop using a makeshift device made from the mouth of a plastic bottle and a hose.
On the other side, Erika Guevara's official account was boasting about a similar device without the slightest empathy for the reality of Cubans.
"I had been praying for a downpour for 5 days, and Saint Peter was not granting my request, or rather was playing a joke on me because there were clouds, thunder, lightning, and drizzle, but no real rain at all. I was about to get rid of one of those 'Cuban-style' inventions that I’m showing here, in which I had placed my hopes for collecting," wrote this official account on Facebook.
Guevara also showed a hose and a cut plastic bottle to collect rainwater.
"But many encouraged me and others were already wanting the invention to be showcased. And as those who don't heed advice don't reach that wonderful age, I stood my ground, and today, finally, Señor San Pedro granted me what I deserved—some good water. Tomorrow, it’s time to wash," he concludes his post, intending to shed light on the extreme situation of the Cubans.
Water crisis in Havana
This week, power outages, a storm, and the shutdown of a major generating unit in Cienfuegos have worsened the precarious water supply in several municipalities of Havana.
The company Aguas de La Habana announced on its official channels that the water supply source El Gato is operating with seven teams from the San José line, but it suspended its operations at 4:00 p.m. due to a lack of electrical power. Earlier, at 2:30 p.m., the Aguacate Line also went out of service due to a circuit breaker trip.
These incidents directly affect the water supply in the municipalities of Habana del Este and San Miguel del Padrón, leaving thousands of people without access to this basic service, who are already facing serious difficulties in their daily lives due to prolonged power outages.
The interruption of the water supply occurs amid a national energy crisis that intensified on Friday with the shutdown of unit 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermoelectric Power Plant in Cienfuegos due to a failure in its condenser.
The Electric Union (UNE) denied rumors of a three-day blackout but acknowledged an impact of more than 1,700 MW on Thursday night and over 1,600 MW on Friday, figures that could increase with the shutdown of the plant in Cienfuegos.
The Cuban population, subjected to daily cuts in electricity and water, increasingly views this situation as the result of decades of negligence, mismanagement, and a lack of investment in the national energy system.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Water and Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the water crisis in Havana?
The water crisis in Havana has worsened due to power outages and issues with the electricity generation units. This has left several municipalities, such as East Havana and San Miguel del Padrón, without a water supply, further complicating the daily lives of residents. The lack of investment in hydraulic infrastructure and poor management have contributed to this issue.
How does the energy crisis affect water availability in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba, characterized by prolonged blackouts and failures at power plants like the one in Cienfuegos, has directly affected the availability of water. The lack of electricity disrupts the operation of pumps and water distribution systems, leaving thousands without access to this essential resource. This situation is seen as a consequence of poor state management and a lack of investments.
What solutions have Cubans found in response to the water scarcity?
Amidst the water crisis, Cubans have turned to homemade inventions to collect and store water. Improvised devices made from plastic bottles, hoses, and other recycled materials have been seen. These solutions reflect the creativity and ingenuity of the Cuban people in the face of a lack of resources, but they also highlight the seriousness of the situation and the lack of effective responses from the government.
What is the Cuban government's response to the water and energy crisis?
The response of the Cuban government to the water and energy crisis has been widely criticized for its lack of effectiveness and transparency. The government has made limited and temporary efforts to mitigate the immediate effects, but has not addressed the structural causes of the crisis, such as the obsolescence of infrastructure and poor management. The population perceives these actions as insufficient and more focused on public image than on resolving the underlying issues.
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