“Here loading firewood to be able to cook... right now there is no electricity, and we have to find fuel, so we need to cook,” with these words, a Cuban identified on social media as Alexei Sadin Arias shows in a video shared on Facebook the harsh everyday reality on the island in the face of the lack of electricity.
The images show him walking while holding a bag over his shoulder filled with tree branches. The scene reflects a practice that is becoming increasingly visible in various parts of the country: turning to firewood or charcoal when there is no electricity and gas is scarce.
The video generated numerous reactions from Cubans both inside and outside the Island, many of whom described the situation as part of a broader reality and lamented what Cubans are enduring: "What is happening in Cuba is not easy, it's overwhelming"; "We're all in this together, and struggling"; "Very sad, like the indigenous people. And they're only going for more"; "That’s the sad life of a Cuban"; "What a tough place we’ve come to."
Several comments directly referred to the widespread crisis. "This is how all of Cuba is, my son," expressed one person. Another pointed out: "The sad reality of the Cuban." Among the messages, there were also expressions of faith and encouragement: "May God give everyone strength," "Blessings, brother," and "Cuba will be free soon, and you will have better conditions."
The scene takes place in an environment marked by prolonged power outages and a fuel shortage that impacts both electricity generation and the distribution of liquefied gas. Recently, another video circulated in Havana showing a father and his son waking up at dawn to cook with firewood amid the blackouts, a situation that sparked extensive discussion on social media.
In the eastern part of the country, specifically in the Guantanamo municipality of Imías, the flour intended for regulated bread has been transported by mules due to a lack of fuel, and baking is done with firewood due to the diesel shortage, as evidenced in the images of bread production in that locality.
Scenes of people resorting to rudimentary methods to secure a meal are recurring in urban neighborhoods and rural areas, amidst an ongoing energy crisis that forces many families to improvise solutions for cooking.
The testimony shared on social media does not provide further details about the exact location, but it reflects a practice that, according to numerous comments, has become common for those facing frequent blackouts and a lack of immediate alternatives.
In the meantime, digital spaces are filled with messages of resignation, solidarity, and frustration in response to a reality that many describe as increasingly harsh.
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