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A citizen's complaint on social media has highlighted a situation that increasingly concerns Cubans: the lack of communication during blackouts, which can leave the population unable to call for help in emergencies.
The testimony was published on Facebook by a resident of Palma Soriano, in the province of Santiago de Cuba, who reported that a group of people witnessed an accident on the road between Palma and Mella and were unable to contact emergency services due to a complete lack of signal.
“At that moment, none of us had signal or access to the network, not even to make a simple call to request help from emergency services,” the user explained in their post, where they stated that the situation has been recurring for several days in that municipality.
According to their account, the people present at the scene had to act on their own to assist those involved in the accident. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, but the incident highlighted the vulnerability of the population when communication fails.
"In light of that situation, we had to act on our own, providing first aid and trying to help as best we could," he added.
The complainant emphasized that the issue not only affects daily life and work but can also jeopardize critical situations where every minute matters. "Communication is an essential service, especially when it can make a difference in an emergency," he noted.
The post generated dozens of comments from people expressing concern about the same issue and confirming similar situations both in Palma Soriano and in other areas of the country.
"A call can save lives," wrote a user, who warned about the danger of not being able to contact ambulances or emergency services in the midst of an accident.
Another comment reflected the everyday fear many families experience: “Imagine having an asthmatic person or someone who uses a nebulizer at home and not being able to call anyone if a crisis occurs.”
There were also those who pointed out that the problem is not limited to a single location. “Here, when the power goes out, we are completely cut off,” remarked another user, while someone else stated that the situation “is not just in Palma Soriano; it’s all over the country.”
The failure of communications during blackouts has become increasingly common in Cuba. When electricity is unavailable, many ETECSA radio bases—the state telecommunications company—cease to operate due to a lack of energy backup, resulting in loss of mobile coverage and even affecting phone calls.
In recent months, the prolonged power outages have exacerbated this problem, leaving entire communities without internet access or the ability to make calls for hours—sometimes for almost the entire day.
For many citizens, the concern goes beyond the discomfort of lacking access to social networks. The main worry is the inability to seek help in the event of fires, traffic accidents, or medical emergencies.
"If a mass accident occurs, how will people be notified?" asked a commenter on the post, reflecting a concern shared by many users.
Meanwhile, the complaint continues to circulate on social media as a reminder of a problem that many Cubans increasingly view as dangerous: becoming disconnected in a country where power outages and emergencies are part of daily life.
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